Buffalo couple charged with selling heroin that led to death

A federal grand jury has returned a 10-count indictment charging a Buffalo man and woman with selling heroin to a man who died as a result.

Orlando Albert Arroyo, 24, and Genesis Tolentino-Cruz, 25, are charged with distribution of heroin causing death, narcotics conspiracy, distribution of heroin, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, according to the U.S Attorney’s Office.

The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years, and a maximum of life in prison, plus a $1 million fine.

Prosecutors said that, in the early morning hours of Feb. 27, police, fire and ambulance personnel were sent to the scene of a possible drug overdose in Buffalo involving an unresponsive 24-year-old man. Resuscitation was attempted, but the man died.

Detectives determined that the victim’s girlfriend was in contact with a phone number used by the defendants for the distribution of heroin, according to prosecutors.

Between March 30 and April 19, investigators made six undercover purchases of heroin from the defendants.

The defendants were arraigned and released on conditions.