(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Buffalo man has pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to distribute fentanyl, admitting his role in drug trafficking activities that took place in early 2025, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.

Giovanni Rosa, 32, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr. to a narcotics conspiracy charge. The offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a possible fine of up to $5 million.

Federal prosecutors said Rosa conspired with others to distribute fentanyl in the Buffalo area between January and February 2025. During the investigation, law enforcement conducted three controlled purchases of fentanyl from Rosa between Jan. 30 and Feb. 27, 2025. Investigators said Rosa obtained approximately one ounce of fentanyl from his supplier for each transaction before selling the narcotics.

The investigation was led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and was conducted as part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), a multi-agency initiative focused on combating drug trafficking, transnational criminal organizations, human trafficking, and other serious crimes.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett Fitzsimmons is prosecuting the case. The DEA’s New York Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, investigated the case.

Rosa is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 16, 2026, before Judge Sinatra.