Wellsville Man Sentenced To 54 Months In Meth Conspiracy
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. and Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA), New York Division announced that Justin L. Billings, 35, of Wellsville, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, was sentenced to 54 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Cullinane, who handled the case, stated that between January 2011, and October 25, 2011, the defendant conspired to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. Billings engaged in the practice of “smurfing” (buying small quantities) at local pharmacies to get around restrictions on purchasing products containing pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is an important chemical necessary in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the DEA Buffalo Resident Office, New York Division; the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement (CNET); the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Division; the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force; the Wellsville Police Department; U.S. Border Patrol; and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
