Nearly nine months after the arrest of Dante Lewis Dolson by the Meridian Police Department, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration finished its investigation into Dolson’s activities and confiscated the largest cocaine seizure ever in Niagara Falls, New York. 

On Dec. 2, 2016 the Meridian Police Department stopped Dolson, 48, and discovered a hidden compartment in his vehicle, the type used to secretly transport illegal drugs, $296,050 in cash and 3.25 pounds of opiates, according to the Niagara Gazette.

Meridian police arrested and charged Dolson with possession of a heroin with intent to distribute and set his bond at $100,000. 

Dolson bonded out within four hours, paying in cash. 

The Niagara Falls Police Department told the Gazette Dolson resumed transportation of cocaine and heroin from Texas to Niagara Falls following his release.

“Anytime we make a stop on the interstate with narcotics or a large sum of money we contact the feds,” Meridian Police Chief Benny Dubose said. “They make the determination to follow up. Here, they decided to adopt the case.”

On Aug. 24, investigators, using a tracking system that involved multiple state and federal law enforcement agencies, determined where Dolson kept his stash in Niagara Falls and arrested Dolson again, according to the Gazette.

The Gazette reported that while searching Dolson’s garage on Independence Avenue, Niagara Falls Police Emergency Response Team found six wrapped kilograms of cocaine, a money-counting machine, a food saver with shrink wrap (used to wrap large quantities of drugs) and $5,000 in cash. 

Niagara Falls investigators valued the seized cocaine at more than $500,000.

“We have been dealing with the feds on quite a few cases,” Dubose said. “Usually you don’t get immediate results and sometimes it takes several years. This was quick.”

For its part in helping trap Dolson, the Meridian Police Department was awarded the $296,000 in cash they seized in Meridian and the vehicle, according to Dubose.

Dubose said the vehicle, a Chevrolet Malibu he believed, was still in the possession of the Meridian Police Department. 

Dolson, and two others arrested at the scene, face charges for criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

The Gazette said the Niagara Falls Police Department received assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the New York Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force and the United States Attorneys Office, who will prosecute the case, in addition to the Meridian Police Department.