Police find lots of $$ during drug arrest

Buffalo (WBEN) -- Buffalo police say officers uncovered a lot of money during their arrest of an accused drug dealer on Tuesday.

Police commissioner Daniel Derenda said it's unusual to recover $368,000 while searching a suspect's home, and he explained what the department will do with that money.

"Once it's forfeited, it will return to the local departments to for things ... [the] gun buyback [program] or other things we need extra money for," Derenda said.
 

Police were searching the home of George Torres, 51, of 55 Garner Ave. in Buffalo, who police believe has been selling heroin on the city's west side for a number of years. 

The arrest prompted this warning from U.S. Attorney William Hochul to area drug dealers.

"You will get found out. You will get caught, and if convicted, serve a very long time in jail," Hochul said.

Torres is charged with unlawfully possessing with intent to distribute more than 200 grams of heroin, possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and being a felon in possession of firearms.

Torres is being held without bail pending a detention hearing set for Tuesday.