BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Two Buffalo men, including the operator of The Groove Lounge, were arrested Friday following a joint surveillance operation, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office announced.
Deputies arrested 59-year-old Michael Ray Jackson, the club operator, on drug charges after recovering cocaine and items to cut and package drugs. 38-year-old Antonio Broadus was arrested on numerous drug and weapons charges.
A search warrant executed at Broadus’ High Street residence allegedly turned up approximately a 1/2 kilogram of cocaine, a Glock 19 with an extended magazine, a RAS 47 Draco pistol and an AR-15 inside his recycling bin, deputies said. Video later recovered allegedly showed Broadus depositing the evidence into the bin.
Additionally, drug packaging, a digital scale, cocaine residue and a quantity of U.S. currency were also allegedly recovered inside Broadus’ home.
While deputies were searching Broadus’ residence, they allegedly observed Jackson, the operator of The Groove Lounge on Broadway, driving on High Street. Police believed Jackson was storing cocaine at his girlfriend’s residence at 45 Cayuga St., and after sending a team to the home, deputies allegedly observed Jackson there.
Groove Lounge requests BPD back-up New Year’s Eve weekend after high-profile incidents
After taking Jackson into custody during a traffic stop, a search warrant for the Cayuga Street residence was executed, according to deputies. The ECSO allegedly found a 3/4 kilogram of cocaine, packaging, cutting agents and evidence linking Jackson to the residence.
Jackson was charged with:
First-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance
Second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance
Two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance
Four counts of criminal use of drug paraphernalia
Numerous vehicle and traffic violations
Broadus, who is currently on probation for narcotic sales, was charged with:
First-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance
Third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance
Fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance
Two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon
Third-degree criminal possession of a weapon of an assault weapon
Tampering with physical evidence
Three counts of criminal use of drug paraphernalia
Criminal possession of rapid-fire modification devices
Numerous vehicle and traffic violations
Both Broadus and Jackson were remanded to the Erie County Holding Center.
The Erie County Sheriff’s Office held a Monday press conference regarding the two arrests, which you can watch above.