Syracuse, N.Y. — The Drug Enforcement Administration confiscated cocaine, gun magazines, ammunition, fentanyl and $15,000 from a Clay man who was arrested in Syracuse on Tuesday.
The DEA has been investigating Mario Leslie for fentanyl trafficking since the summer of 2023, according to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.
Agents searched two of Leslie’s cars and his home at Spruce Tree Circle F 2 in Clay after executing a federal search warrant, agents said in the criminal complaint.
In Leslie’s home, agents said they found:
- 119 grams, or 4.1 ounces, of fentanyl in glassine envelopes and clear plastic baggies
- Three partially loaded Glock magazines
- Digital scales and packaging
- Two boxes of ammunition
- $10,000
In Leslie’s 2015 gray Toyota SUV, agents said they found:
- A Glock handgun
- 16 grams, or .5 ounces, of fentanyl in glassine envelopes
- A knotted plastic bag containing approximately 8 grams, or .2 ounces, of cocaine
- $5,000
And in Leslie’s 2018 black Volkswagen SUV, agents said they found 16 grams, or .5 ounces, of fentanyl.
Agents said they followed Leslie from his home and then detained him at Upstate Market on the 700 block of Oswego Street in Syracuse.
Leslie has previously pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon in December of last year and was convicted of criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance in 2014, according to the complaint.
Staff writer Timia Cobb covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at tcobb@syracuse.com.