A Texas woman has pleaded guilty in a federal drug trafficking case tied to a major narcotics seizure in Ontario County.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that Shannell Gosine, 28, of Houston, admitted to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.
According to federal prosecutors, Gosine was part of a multi-state drug trafficking operation that moved cocaine from Mexico through Texas to destinations across the country, including Buffalo. Authorities say she primarily acted as a courier, making multiple trips transporting large quantities of cocaine and returning with bulk cash.
As part of the investigation, the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on May 7, 2024, that led to the seizure of 9.3 kilograms of cocaine and more than 3.5 kilograms of pure methamphetamine from a co-conspirator. Officials say shipments tied to the operation typically involved around 10 kilograms of cocaine per trip.
Investigators also uncovered additional large seizures connected to the operation, including nearly 19 kilograms of cocaine in Ohio and about $100,000 in cash in Tennessee, some of it tied to drug sales in the Buffalo area.
Gosine was arrested in April 2025 along with six others and is the second defendant to be convicted in the case.
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from multiple agencies, including the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office. Officials say the case is part of a broader federal effort targeting large-scale drug trafficking organizations operating across the country.
