Drug raid leads to arrest of six town residents
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

A large drug raid in Amherst and Clarence on Thursday resulted in the arrests of 36 people, including six Amherst residents.

The bust also involved residents of Niagara County.

Amherst Police Chief John C. Askey said the department has been working on the joint investigation for more than a year, with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the Niagara County Drug Task Force and the Lockport Police Department.

"We are dealing with a large amount of drugs and affiliations," Askey said.

He added that it's not unheard of to have a ring this size in the suburbs, but it is unusual.

"It's very concerning to us," he said, adding that such suburban investigations are as necessary as those in the city.

"Dealings in towns are adding to the problems in the city," he said. "This raid knocked down some major players."

Askey said Amherst police had 40 officers, of the 216 involved, participating in the raid.

Amherst's SWAT team searched two Amherst residences, one on North French Road near Millersport Highway and the other on Ridge Lea Road.

Police identified the parking lot of Wal-Mart on Transit Road at the Clarence/Amherst border as a common location for drug transactions.

Askey said the home on North French Road was barricaded, forcing the officers to strongarm their way in.

He said those arrested in this raid have connections to drug gangs in the area.

Arrested in Amherst were: Melinda Donovan, 29, of North French Road; Tyrone Nance, 26, of Ridge Lea Road; Michael J. Olejniczak, 38, of Marine Road; Eric L. Swain, 40, of North French Road; Alissa Zamito, 44, of Robin Road; and Michael Musial, 41, of Sudbury Lane.

All were arraigned in U.S. District Court.

Additional arrests in connection to the raid are still pending.