Shannell Gosine, a 28-year-old resident of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty on Mar. 18 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo and carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, with a maximum of life and a fine up to $10 million.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to combat large-scale drug trafficking operations that originate outside the United States and impact communities across the country.
According to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, Gosine conspired with others between April 2023 and February 20, 2025, to sell cocaine sourced from Mexico and transported from Texas to various locations nationwide, including Buffalo. Prosecutors said Gosine acted as both a courier for bulk cocaine shipments and as the receiver responsible for counting large sums of currency. She made several trips delivering cocaine to Buffalo and returning with cash proceeds.
Law enforcement agencies seized significant quantities of drugs and money during the investigation: On April 8, 2023, Ohio State Highway Patrol confiscated nearly 19 kilograms of cocaine from a co-conspirator en route from Texas to Buffalo; on December 12, 2023, Tennessee’s 23rd Drug Task Force seized $100,000 in cash from Gosine and an associate; on May 7, 2024, Ontario County Sheriff’s Office recovered over nine kilograms of cocaine and more than three kilograms of methamphetamine during a traffic stop involving another co-conspirator.
Gosine was arrested in April 2025 along with six other individuals connected to the operation. She is the second defendant convicted in this case.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159. The task force brings together multiple agencies—including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), local sheriff’s offices, and others—to target criminal cartels operating within U.S. borders. Sentencing for Gosine is scheduled for September 28 at Judge Vilardo’s court.
