Tehran Muhammad, a 40-year-old resident of Buffalo, New York, has been arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. If convicted, Muhammad faces up to 20 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch said that the case stems from an investigation into a fatal overdose at Sisters of Charity Hospital in February 2025. On February 13, hospital staff found an unresponsive individual in a bathroom stall with burned tinfoil suspected to contain fentanyl nearby. The person died the following day from non-traumatic anoxic brain injury caused by drug intoxication and overdose.
Authorities reviewed the victim’s medical records, cellphone data, and hospital surveillance footage from around the time of the incident. They discovered communications between the victim and someone known as “Cuzo Dope,” later identified as Muhammad. Text messages indicated that the victim contacted Muhammad on February 12 and 13 to purchase drugs. Surveillance video and cell phone data placed both individuals near the hospital during this period. Investigators also conducted two controlled drug purchases from Muhammad.
On February 27, 2026, law enforcement executed search warrants at Muhammad’s home on Seminole Parkway, where they seized a rifle, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia. Records show that Muhammad was previously convicted in 2005 for Attempted Burglary in the First Degree and Rape in the First Degree, which prohibits him from possessing firearms.
Muhammad appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer on February 27 and is being held pending a detention hearing scheduled for March 4 before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder Jr.
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration under Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam of the New York Field Division and the Buffalo Police Department under Commissioner Craig Macy.
“The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”
