The 50 pounds of cocaine worth $10 million seized in North Braddock this week marked the region's biggest drug bust in recent memory, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala. South Park Fire + Police Protection Measures + St. Patrick's Day, 3 Dead, Another Injured In 2 Pittsburgh-Area Shootings, Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training Battles, Local Brand Advisor offers services in Pittsburgh. The suspects concealed the large, plastic-sealed packages of cocaine behind the rear passenger seat within the hydraulic traps of Philadelphia-registered vehicles they were driving, police said. La-Verna Fountain, press secretary for the state police, declined to comment on whether this drug ring is linked to other methamphetamine rings in the nation or to past major busts in Pennsylvania. As a result of a one-year investigation into violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug Device and Cosmetic Act, Prostitution and various other offenses, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Fayette County Drug Task Force and the Fayette County Sheriff's office were attempting to serve warrants Tuesday on approximately 70 individuals in the Fayette County area. It was the largest methamphetamine bust ever in Pennsylvania. "Drug traffickers should be put on notice that when we identify a suspicious parcel, we will use all of our investigative resources to identify those responsible. We havent taken this much dope off the streets for a long time, Zappala told reporters during an unrelated campaign event at Cupkas Cafe in Pittsburghs South Side Flats neighborhood. Officials pegged Clark as a head of the trafficking organization and accused Suggs Jr. of being a co-conspirator. Through strategic marketing campaign concepts, Alyssa has established Banyan as an industry leader and a national household name. Twelve people have been indicted on charges of importing 7.5 tons of cocaine from Colombia and laundering more than $25 million since 1980, Federal authorities announced today. We are dedicated to working collaboratively to ensure the safety of communities across Pennsylvania. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS ", "Today the DEA District Office in Pittsburgh, the United States Postal Services Office of Inspector General, and our other law enforcement counterparts dismantled an international cocaine drug trafficking organization that operated in Los Angeles, Tucson, and Mexico," said Jonathan A. Wilson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administrations (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division. It. It could not be determined late last night if Pirollo or Gatto were among those arrested. Fax:412-644-4549, Johnstown:814-533-4547 Four teams were sent to the northern part of the county; one large team was sent to the southern part. Zappala said he could not say how the 23 kilograms seized Monday made its way to Philadelphia or entered the United States, noting it may very well have entered through a legal port of entry. . Zappala said investigators learned from the FBI that Clark and Suggs Jr. have lengthy criminal records related to drug charges and have been linked to major drug trafficking operations originating in countries such as Colombia and Mexico. All Rights Reserved. A 13-count indictment, which included charges of drug trafficking, money laundering, firearms violation and other crimes, named the following 28 people: Don Juan Mendoza, 38, of Lawrenceville, Ga. Jamie Lightfoot, Sr., 46, currently incarcerated at FCI Loretto. 11, according to the release and court records. The arrests send a message to drug dealers in Pennsylvania, said Gov. Kenneth Showman, Aaron Jeffries, Frank Whipkey, Randy Cartwright, Jason Stasko, Barry Brooks, Theodore Turney, Dustin Banazak, Clarence Nicholson, Dawn Lilley, Maurice Sledge, William Fitzgerald, Jody Yauger, Carla Witherspoon, Gary W. Jordan, Preston Anthony Hill, Myron Maurice Moore, Danny Neil Jr., Joseph A. Brow. [4] Contents 1 Testimony 2 Verdict 2.1 Suspensions 3 Aftermath 4 See also 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External links Testimony [ edit] biggest drug bust in pittsburgh pa. julia baird barrister ava law group reviews ralph woolfolk wife notice of intent to serve subpoena pennsylvania. The drug bust was a result of a year-long investigation conducted by the State Police Troop B Vice Unit, the Fayette County Sheriff's Office and the Fayette County Drug Task Force. 2023 Cox Media Group. / CBS Pittsburgh. Police arrested. During the investigation, a total of 56 pounds of speed with a street value of $1.27 million was confiscated, along with $167,000 in cash and a pound of cocaine. Confidential agreement uncovered allowed Pa. car show to happen despite COVID-19 restrictions, Allegheny County, WPIAL clarify restrictions on outdoor gatherings of 50 people for youth and high school sports, VIDEO: Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center refused to cooperate with audit, says PA Auditor General, DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts, Alabama man fatally mauled by pack of dogs, coroner says, 3 people dead after 2 separate shootings in McKeesport; scenes not connected, police say, Remains found in New Castle identified as man reported missing in 2013, Man facing charges after police chase on busy Ambridge road, Man found dead in courtyard after shooting in Arlington Heights. Operation Crystal Shield involved 893 pounds of cocaine, 13 pounds of heroin, and around 2,224 pounds of methamphetamine, making it the biggest meth bust in U.S. history. While the state has many notable things that make it special, it is not exempt from the drug trade. Erie, PA 16501, 319 Washington Street,Suite 200 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Those considered mid-level dealers in Fayette County deal up to $10,000 in drugs. Let's Find Out, PA County Wants To Make Its Own Gun Laws After Recent Court Defeat. JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A drug organization accused of funneling fentanyl, methamphetamine and other drugs into Johnstown from both coasts has been dismantled, resulting in charges against 31 people,. Murphy told CNN affiliate WSB that it is by far the biggest heroin seizure in Georgia's. A federal grand jury has indicted 39 people in a cross-country cocaine ring that flooded Pittsburgh and the Mon Valley with drugs, U.S. Attorney Scott Brady said Wednesday. April 14, 2021 / 3:14 AM The suspects were fingerprinted and processed in the basement of the East Side Fire Station in Connellsville and then taken to area district justices, where their bonds were set. Fifteen properties are subject to seizure under laws which require drug traffickers to forfeit property. ", First published on April 14, 2021 / 3:14 AM. sinastria di coppia karmica calcolo; quincy homeless shelter; plastic bags for cleaning oven racks; claudia procula death; farm jobs in vermont with housing ", "We wont back down, communities need law enforcement to work together as weve done in Operation Tripwire," Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. It had just been cooked.. beef brisket wine pairing. Dave Heckman, of the state police at Uniontown, said nine undercover police officers were a part of the investigation, but did not take part in the raids to protect their identities. All the people indicted are from Philadelphia or New Jersey except one man from Florida. Reach her at 412-380-8519, mguza@tribweb.com or via Twitter @meganguzaTrib. PITTSBURGH, PA - Two Philadelphia men have been arrested in a massive drug bust in which $10 million in cocaine was seized. williams legato iii headphone jack size 1; pergo heritage hickory 1; The meth was still hot, Fountain said. ", "The function of the Postal Service is to deliver the nations mail, not transport illegal drugs into our community for drug traffickers. Fayette County law enforcement officials said Tuesday that they had conducted "the largest drug bust in the county's history.". Published June 22, 2021 4:25 a.m. PDT Share TORONTO - Twenty people are facing rafts of charges each and more than $61 million worth of cocaine, crystal meth and marijuana was seized in what. "Although fighting the opioid epidemic remains this office's top priority, this case is clear evidence of a disturbing trend: Cocaine is making a comeback in this region," Brady said. Three of the labs were in Philadelphia and one was in Union County. Two are in state prisons in Graterford and Camp Hill. To report drug traffickers abusing the mail, or to report other crimes involving postal employees, contact USPS OIG special agents at www.uspsoig.gov or 888-USPS-OIG.". Also attending were Marino, Preate and officials representing the Philadelphia police, the district attorney, the New Jersey state police, the DEA and the U.S. Attorneys Office. Eight pounds of speed was seized from the Montgomery lab, Fountain said. On Wednesday, Zappala said his office plans to ask the magistrate judge to revoke the bail of both men to ensure they dont flee the country. The command post for this detail was the Connellsville Fire Station, located directly across Apple Street from the Connellsville Police Station. "I asked for an arrest sweep to show the citizenry that law enforcement is active and involved with drug enforcement," said Vernon, adding the year-long investigation involved undercover work, undercover purchases, officers entering in dangerous places and conducting highly dangerous searches. A subsequent search of Burnheimer's home found $70,000 inside and Burnheimer admitted to police he had used drug money to buy the home. 700 Grant Street, Suite 4000 The HIDTA designation of our largest counties enhances our ability to identify and . "We stand shoulder to shoulder with our state and local partners to fight Mexican cartels from operating in western Pennsylvania," said U.S. Attorney Brady. BLAIRSVILLE (KDKA) - An investigation that was led by the Indiana County District Attorney's Drug Task Force ended with the largest heroin and fentanyl bust in Indiana County. One of the largest drug busts in the history of Pennsylvania was announced by Attorney General Josh Shapiro on Thursday. Brady said law enforcement has been going zone by zone and neighborhood by neighborhood to take out street gangs, drug rings and violent offenders. He'd been indicted on federal drug charges years earlier. In total, the drugs and money seized equaled nearly $100,000. "I think that's a record," said Vernon. Source/Pennsylvania Attorney General A grand jury investigation uncovered evidence of a meth ring that distributed drugs from Philadelphia to towns in Blair County, Pennsylvania, authorities said. The task force is made up of 35 municipal police officers from all parts of the county. / CBS Pittsburgh. 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