A significant drug bust in Niagara Falls has led to the seizure of over $12 million worth of counterfeit pills. Queens native Edwin Miguel Batista, who appeared before a federal magistrate in Buffalo on Monday, is currently being held without bail following the recovery of the pills from a self-storage unit near the Fashion Outlet Mall.
Batista faces a single count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. According to a criminal complaint, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated an investigation into Batista in November as part of a broader inquiry into illegal online pharmacies that produce counterfeit pills resembling prescription medications often containing dangerous substances like fentanyl.
Court documents reveal that in early December, agents obtained a warrant to place a tracking device on Batista's vehicle and began monitoring his movements. They observed him making frequent trips between a self-storage facility located at 1755 Fashion Outlets Boulevard and various post offices across Western New York. Over a one-month period, from December 13th, 2024, to January 13th, 2025, Batista allegedly mailed 1,248 packages from seven different post offices, with the highest volume—363 packages—sent from a post office on Sheridan Drive in Williamsville.
Prosecutors allege that Batista often visited the post office during hours when counter service was unavailable, utilizing self-service kiosks instead. Unbeknownst to him, some of these packages were addressed to an undercover location set up by federal agents in Chicago. Additionally, agents had installed a surveillance camera on a pole outside the storage facility, which allowed them to monitor Batista's activities.
Last Wednesday, agents executed a raid on the storage unit that Batista had been frequenting. During the operation, they discovered packaging materials, a pill counter, and a staggering 1,229,768 pills weighing a total of 846.2 pounds with a street value of $12,297,675.
While Batista faces charges in the Western District of New York, he is also indicted in the Northern District of Illinois. However, Magistrate H. Kenneth Schroeder indicated that the charges in New York will take precedence. Batista is currently housed at the Niagara County Jail and a co-defendant from Niagara Falls, Victor Miguel Brito Luna, who allegedly assisted Batista in packaging the pills and providing transportation, has been released to home confinement.
No further information is available at this time.
Major Drug Bust in Niagara Falls Uncovers $12 Million Worth of Pills