FBI * One FBI Plaza * Buffalo, New York 14202 * (716)856-7800 * www.fbi.gov

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Contacts:	Paul Mark Moskal - (716) 843-5270 Maureen P. Dempsey - (716) 843-1788 Marc Falconetti - (716) 843-1682

FBI Distributes $625,897.98 in Equitable Sharing Proceeds and
Ill-Gotten Gains to Local and State Law Enforcement Agencies

Today, Laurie J. Bennett, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Buffalo Field Office, announces the distribution of $625,897.98 in equitable sharing proceeds and ill-gotten gains to participating law enforcement agencies in Western New York. The following local and state agencies were presented with checks today in the listed amounts:

Amherst Police Department $ 125,438.09

Buffalo Police Department $ 109,659.75

Erie County Sheriff's Office $ 36,553.25

New York State Police $ 232,146.50

New York State Division of Parole $ 114,789.74

New York National Guard Counter Drug Support Program $ 7,310.65

The Safe Streets Task Force (SSTF), arrested Peter Giglia, 46, of Buffalo, New York, in May, 2006. In March 2008, Giglia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to posses with intent to distribute cocaine. In addition to Giglia, 11 other people have been convicted and sentenced for the roles each person played in Giglia's drug distribution ring. These arrests culminated the end of a year long investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps on Giglia's cellular telephone. As part of the plea Giglia reached in March, he agreed to forfeit property he obtained from his illegal narcotics trafficking. This included Buffalo investment property, Florida real estate, two classic automobiles, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and $25,000 in U. S. currency.

In January of 2007, a spin-off international cocaine investigation was opened pursuant to information developed in this initial case. As a result, a federal search warrant was executed and $731,355.00 was seized. FBI Buffalo was informed that the money was destined for California where it was to be used as a down payment to purchase 100 kilograms of cocaine. Giglia will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge William Skretney on July 29, 2008.

Asset seizure and forfeiture is a powerful tool to be utilized by law enforcement and it must be used judiciously. Criminals must not prosper from their illegal activities; they will be prosecuted criminally and stripped of their ill-gotten gains.

The distribution of Mr. Giglia's illegally acquired money represents a positive chapter in this long-term, multi-faceted investigation.

The following agencies are members of the Safe Streets Task Force: