A probationary Buffalo Police officer has been arrested and charged on counts related to an alleged marijuana growing and distribution operation. The U.S. Attorney's Office says James Hamilton Sr., 29, of Buffalo sold a half-pound of marijuana to a confidential source in the city's Broadway/Bailey neighborhood earlier this week. He was then called to Buffalo Police headquarters and arrested.
At the time, Hamilton was in possession of his department-issued firearm. He has been fired from his job.
Authorities searched Hamilton's Floss Street house and found a marijuana growing operation which included 82 plants and roughly four pounds of harvested pot.
Hamilton faces charges involving manufacturing, possessing, and distributing marijuana that carry a sentence ranging from five years-to-life in prison and a $2 million dollar fine, if convicted. He is being arraigned Thursday afternoon.
