Police In Buffalo Bust 2 Men With Cocaine, Fentanyl, Cash, And 8 Guns

Two Buffalo men were busted by a joint task force for allegedly possessing guns, drugs, and cash. The arrests were the conclusion of an almost three-month investigation by a joint task force -  Erie County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics and Intelligence Unit, Buffalo Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

During a press conference, authorities said they seized 3.5 kilos of cocaine, 5 ounces of fentanyl, more than $212,000 in cash and $200,000 in property, and eight guns. The two men arrested during the raid were 33-year-old Sidney Mellerson of the Town of Tonawanda and Keshaun Atwood, 31, of Buffalo.

On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, police executed a search warrant on Mellerson. According to the Erie County District Attorney's Office, they initiated a traffic stop on the Kensington Expressway. Police say they tasered Mellerson, who allegedly resisted arrest. He allegedly had crack cocaine in his possession.

The task force also executed a search warrant at the 200 block of Hastings Avenue. During the search, they found two loaded, illegal, stolen handguns, cocaine, and fentanyl.

A search warrant was executed on Mellerson's home on Grandview Avenue. Police say they found a loaded, illegal handgun and approximately $10,000. Atwood was seen outside of the residence during the search. Authorities found him a short time later at a storage facility on Kenmore Avenue allegedly trying to remove evidence. Police allegedly found approximately $200,000 in cash and a gun in a plastic bag. Additional search warrants were executed at locations on Milburn Street and Deshler Street in the City of Buffalo.

Mellerson was arraigned on a multitude of felony charges:

- One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree (Class “A-I” felony)
- Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree (Class “A-II” felony)
- Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (Class “B” felonies)
- Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony)
- Two counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree (Class “E” felonies)
- One count of Tampering with Physical Evidence (Class “E” felony)
- One count of Obstruction of Governmental Administration in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)
- One count of Resisting Arrest (Class “A” misdemeanor)

Atwood was also arraigned on a multitude of felony charges:

- One count of Tampering with Physical Evidence (Class “E” felony)
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)
- One count of Obstruction of Governmental Administration in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)
- One count of Resisting Arrest (Class “A” misdemeanor)

Mellerson will return to court for a felony hearing on Wednesday, February 15, at 9:30 am. He is being held without bail. He is facing a maximum of 30 years behind bars. Atwood is due back in court on Monday, March 6, at 9:30 am. He was released on his own recognizance.

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