A search of the two mens vehicles turned up 23 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the hydraulic traps. 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. Attorney General . Robert P. Casey, who attended the news conference. "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. Officers intercepted a truck carrying 55 million methamphetamine tablets and. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. prisons spend $15M after guards were sickened by K2. You can now customize your WPXI News App to receive Allegheny County news alerts. I hope things like this dont happen on a regular basis.. Theyre both accused of participating in a cocaine ring thats been bringing illegal street drugs into communities in Western Pennsylvania for at least the past two years. Suite 115 Operation Tripwire began shortly after Allegheny Countys designation as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, and represents the most significant HIDTA prosecution to date. Evidence seized during a two-year investigation into a cross-country cocaine trafficking ring that led to the indictment of 39 individuals Tuesday, April 24, 2018. Later searches of the homes and vehicles of others involved in the ring turned up more drugs, 11 firearms and more than $1 million in cash. 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. September 4, 2020 / 4:45 PM Follow the link to read our updated Privacy Policy, Man Rams Victim With Car, Fires Gun At Him During Argument: Somerset Prosecutor, One Dead, Two Hospitalized, 3 Schools Lockdown After McKeesport Shooting: Authorities, Approximately 14 kilograms, or 700,000 individual doses of fentanyl. Both men have been charged with possession, possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy and criminal use of a communication device. "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. An official website of the United States government. Almost two tonnes of methamphetamine has been seized by Australian police - the biggest bust of the drug in the country's history. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 60 nabbed in massive drug bust By SANDRA K. REABUCK Apr 23, 2008 In one of Cambria County's largest drug investigations, which culminated Wednesday, authorities have arrested about 60. "By taking down an entire multistate organization at once, the impact on our region is felt immediately," Brady said. In all, 17 suspects were stung. The cocaine ring was among the largest in the history of Western Pennsylvania, Brady said. Johnstown, PA 15901, Pittsburgh:412-644-3500 The arrests include Lawrence Pirollo of Philadelphia and John Gatto of Somerdale, N.J., identified by federal investigators as top managers of the ring. You will be arrested. Fayette County law enforcement officials said Tuesday that they had conducted "the largest drug bust in the county's history.". Officials, in one day, issued approximately 70 arrest warrants. montgomery county, pa drug bust montgomery county, pa drug bust. Police also seized a kilogram of heroin, 85 pounds of marijuana, an AK-47 rifle and a handgun, Brady said. PITTSBURGH, PA - Two Philadelphia men have been arrested in a massive drug bust in which $10 million in cocaine was seized. Lock The command post for this detail was the Connellsville Fire Station, located directly across Apple Street from the Connellsville Police Station. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The operation to bust the ring included the FBI, ATF, Pittsburgh Police, Latrobe Police, Allegheny County Sheriffs Office, Munhall Police, Wilkinsburg Police, Monroeville Police and Penn Hills Police among other agencies. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. He'd been indicted on federal drug charges years earlier. Brady said agencies are seeing the drugs come into the area from places like Philadelphia, Detroit, Cleveland, Akron and Youngstown as well as drug cartels in Mexico such as the Sinaloa Cartel. A lock ( And you will go to jail, he said. "We work every day to stop those who bring dangerous drugs and guns into our neighborhoods. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. We are dedicated to working collaboratively to ensure the safety of communities across Pennsylvania. According to Trooper Brian Burden, state police at Uniontown information officer, the warrants were issued for those involved in the sale of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, marijuana or prescription medications. Official websites use .gov BROOKVILLE, PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced criminal charges against 30 drug dealers in connection with the shipment and sale of $1.6 million in crystal methamphetamine in Jefferson, Clarion, Clearfield, Elk and Forest Counties over the last year and a half. These drugs then ended up on the streets of Pittsburgh. Federal investigators continue to search for Todd Moses, 33, of Decatur, Ga. Moses, formerly of Donora, is one of 39 individuals indicted in a cocaine-trafficking ring Tuesday, April 24, 2018. Philadelphia police called in the state police for help and, after multiple street-level arrests, the investigation was expanded into New Jersey. The HIDTA designation of our largest counties enhances our ability to identify and . Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - More than two dozen people have been indicted for their alleged links to an international drug ring in Pittsburgh. It could not be determined late last night if Pirollo or Gatto were among those arrested. Vernon said she couldn't anticipate when the remaining individuals would be apprehended. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. "This is a major organization that was trafficking hundreds of kilograms of cocaine across the entire country and has direct ties to the Sinaloan Cartel in Mexico," Brady said. Taylor has been charged with 10 felonies and five misdemeanors in connection with this investigation, court records show. Kressmore J. Watson, 33, of Los Angeles, CA. "(He) was communicating with his sons and the organization and was able to, if not control, coordinate and discuss with members of the organization," Brady said. / CBS Pittsburgh. Facebook. This investigation and prosecution relied on critical partnerships and resources, made available by the Office of National Drug Control Policys designation of Allegheny County as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) on September 24, 2018. Fax:412-644-4549, Johnstown:814-533-4547 Officials pegged Clark as a head of the trafficking organization and accused Suggs Jr. of being a co-conspirator. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Corporate Headquarters: FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Christman called the operation a significant, coordinated effort from federal, state and local officials. Hanging out in the kitchen, a three-foot alligator nicknamed El Chompo by police was caught red handed. Police arrested Allan Burnheimer, a 34-year-old from Blacklick, and charged Burnheimer with possession with intent to distribute, and other felonies. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. She described the indictments as the largest methamphetamine bust in state history. With help from the FBI and local police, investigators from the District Attorneys Office on Monday arrested two highly sought-after Philadelphia men accused of having deep ties to major drug trafficking operations originating in South America, Zappala said. But what if it was just in their heads? 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. PITTSBURGH, PA - Twenty-seven members of an international drug organization were indicted by a federal grand jury for trafficking significant quantities of cocaine from Mexico into the United States, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today. Walp said $108,000 from the governors PennFree anti-drug program was key in the success of the operation. It is organized by the Fayette County District Attorney's Office. In October 2020, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced one of the largest drug busts in history. wpvi. Both will be arraigned at the Allegheny County Jail. Suggs is an alleged co-conspirator. Montgomery District Attorney Michael D. Marino said some of the drug ring members used a vacant house on Visitation Road in Evansburg State Park. This month the DEA made the biggest meth bust in American history: 2200 pounds of meth, nearly 900 pounds of cocaine, and 13 pounds of heroin. Dozens of people were arrested and more than 9,000 packets of drugs were seized in a major heroin sweep in Hazelton, Pa. . Unfortunately, this scheme has gone on for quite some time, Zappala said. Investigators say they believe that, since at least 2017, the drug ring involving Clark and Suggs Jr. has brought hundreds of kilograms of cocaine worth tens of millions of dollars from the city of Philadelphia into Western Pennsylvania neighborhoods. Please enter valid email address to continue. A drug bust in South Coatesville, Pennsylvania revealed a large stash of crack cocaine, heroin, cash, and one guard gator. She added that she feels 70 warrants issued in one day is an impressive amount for a small county. At one Philadelphia lab alone, 800 pounds of speed with a street value of $18 million were manufactured, Fountain said. He is associated with the street gang, but police said he was indicted separately. An indictment is an accusation. NEW YORK, Nov 2 (Reuters) - U.S. law enforcement officials seized more than one ton of cocaine allegedly shipped to the New York area from Puerto Rico, the largest bust of the drug in the. Another lab was in Lower Providence Township, Montgomery County. It was used to buy drugs and relocate and protect witnesses. Contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration if you need help for drug addiction at 1-800-662-4357, Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center refused to cooperate with audit, says PA Auditor General. 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. Following is a list of Fayette County residents who were issued warrants: Shelby Feniello, Caleb Langgle, James Cunningham, Mark Tressler, Francis Straughters, Gary Lewellen, Bart Yagla, Fred "Tony" Simon, Scott Lazar, Dale Gould, Jane Gould, Joseph Sherwood, Melissa Hall, Duane Brown, Andreas Key, Stanford Russell, Antwaun Bush, Dontay Stokes, Keith Thomas, Tyrone Brown, Dennis Stewart, Jamie Carraway, Michael Speddon, Thomas Teets, Joshua Snyder, Tabitha Steindl, Jeremy Showman. Allegheny County District Attorneys Office. Alyssa who is the National Director of Digital Marketing, joined the Banyan team in 2016, bringing her five-plus years of experience. The indictments were the result of a three-year investigation involving state and local police from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 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,. We have been able to reach the top echelon of the methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution ring in Pennsylvania, State Police Commissioner Col. Glenn A. Walp said at anews conference in Philadelphia to announce the indictments. "This investigation dismantled a large-scale drug trafficking pipeline that brought major quantities of cocaine from Mexican cartels, into the United States through California and Arizona, and across the country to the streets of Pittsburgh. According to authorities, the wiretaps, done in 1989, showed that the speed was delivered to Pirollo and Gatto, who took it to New Jersey to be cut and packaged. Fentanyl sold on the streets typically enters Pennsylvania through Canada, while the majority of heroin and cocaine originates in South America, Zappala said. SHARE. 25 people were indicted as part of a fentanyl trafficking ring. The gang operated from the East Hills, Homewood and Wilkinsburg all the way to Latrobe. 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. PITTSBURGH More than two dozen people were charged in connection with a fentanyl distribution ring stretching across Pittsburgh's eastern neighborhoods and into Wilkinsburg, according to FBI. Posted on 26 Feb in delores winans grandchildren. He has been denied bail and held in the Allegheny County Jail with a preliminary hearing set before Magisterial District Judge Scott H. Schricker on Mar. 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. Taylor is a convicted felon who is barred from owning a gun. The meth was still hot, Fountain said. "I think that's a record," said Vernon. Those arrested were transported to the Fayette County Prison by the Fayette County Sheriff's office. The warranted search led to the discovery of multiple drugs, guns, vehicles, and more than $545,000 in cash on Mar. One of the largest drug busts in the history of Pennsylvania was announced by Attorney General Josh Shapiro on Thursday. Police said some individuals are still being sought and an updated list will follow. While the state has many notable things that make it special, it is not exempt from the drug trade. Taken into custody in North Braddock Monday were Jermaine Clark and Terry Suggs Jr. Clark is believed to be the head of the drug trafficking organization, according to the Allegheny County District Attorneys Office. The Drug Enforcement Administration (in Pittsburgh, PA) and the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General led the multi-agency investigation that included members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (in Los Angeles, CA; in Tucson, AZ; in New York, NY; in Nashville, TN; at the Special Operations Division; and in Mexico); the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; the Los Angeles Police Department; the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police; the Allegheny County Police Department; the New Castle Police Department; the Monessen Police Department; and the Pennsylvania State Police. Operation Tripwire started 2 years ago after the postal service found cocaine hidden in a package. U.S. Attorney Scott Brady on Wednesday said a federal grand jury has indicted 39 people accused of being involved in a cross-country cocaine ring that stretched from Los Angeles to Pittsburgh. Fax:814-533-4545. The ring was run by brothers Jamie Lightfoot Jr., 25, and Deaubre Lightfoot, 27, according to Brady, and included interstate drug trafficker Don Juan Mendoza, formerly of Lawrenceville, Ga. Brady said the drugs, which included heroin and marijuana in addition to the cocaine, were brought into the area in either a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van or a large RV. Many of the investigations were jointly conducted by the Fayette County Drug Task Force and the Pennsylvania State Police Troop B Vice Unit. Another lab was raided in January 1990. Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. In an unrelated example, Zappala cited the recent temporary closure of a McKeesport bar and pending closure of another bar at the request of the McKeesport mayor to prevent illegal drug activity from happening there. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than ten years to a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, or both, as to each charged Defendant. "Operation Tripwire," a two-year investigation with international, federal, state and local partners, identified and dismantled the organizations national network and operations from California and Arizona to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Sgt. First published on September 4, 2020 / 4:45 PM. The investigation began in the winter of 1988 with a street-level buy by a Philadelphia police officer, the state police said. Walp said the property and money will be used to fight drugs. 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