Attorney General James Busts Two Major Drug Trafficking Rings in Central New York 78 Individuals Indicted for Trafficking Cocaine, Heroin, and Fentanyl Throughout NYS; Illegal Possession of Firearms, Including Untraceable Ghost Guns AG James Has Taken More Than 1,400 Guns Off NYS's Streets Since 2019 CLICK HERE to find out how. "I think that's a record," said Vernon. In the fall of 1990, the Drug Enforcement Agency told the state police that it was investigating some of the same people as the state police. Our marketing agency in Pittsburgh is ready to help right now! "We work every day to stop those who bring dangerous drugs and guns into our neighborhoods. "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. 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. Fax:814-533-4545. He'd been indicted on federal drug charges years earlier. 950 N Federal Highway The warranted search led to the discovery of multiple drugs, guns, vehicles, and more than $545,000 in cash on Mar. She has produced a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. Fentanyl sold on the streets typically enters Pennsylvania through Canada, while the majority of heroin and cocaine originates in South America, Zappala said. ", First published on April 14, 2021 / 3:14 AM. 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. Twitter. The Indictment charges the following individuals with conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, from in and around October 2018, and continuing until in and around June 2020: The Indictment additionally charges Defendant Trent with possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and with unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, in Western District of Pennsylvania, on or about March 4, 2020. It. In all, 17 suspects were stung. "There are no boundaries in law enforcement in Fayette County today," said county District Attorney Nancy Vernon. 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. PITTSBURGH More than two dozen people were charged in connection with a fentanyl distribution ring stretching across Pittsburghs eastern neighborhoods and into Wilkinsburg, according to FBI and local police officials. The 50 pounds of cocaine worth $10 million seized in North Braddock this week marked the regions biggest drug bust in recent memory, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala said Tuesday. TV Q&A: Is a Pittsburgher writing for CBSs East New York? The cocaine ring was among the largest in the history of Western Pennsylvania, Brady said. He said there are turf wars, shootings, home invasions and homicides that go hand in hand with drug trafficking. Arrests made Wednesday morning netted 37 of the 39 individuals named in the two indictments. By 6abc. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. wpvi. queensland figure skating. Police seized 23 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $10 million while executing arrest warrants against two Philadelphia men in North Braddock on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. Such hiding techniques demonstrate a sophisticated type of organization, Zappala said. The arrests send a message to drug dealers in Pennsylvania, said Gov. The investigation was a five month wiretap investigation, according to law enforcement. The raid started at approximately 6 a.m., when 56 officers from various municipalities from throughout the county were briefed and dispatched in five teams. 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. Federal law prohibits a convicted felon from possessing a firearm or ammunition. 25 people were indicted as part of a fentanyl trafficking ring. 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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Ages and addresses of the suspects were not available. Police began tracking chemicals used in making speed, and wiretaps were approved with the assistance of state Attorney General Ernie Preate. Three of the labs were in Philadelphia and one was in Union County. A lock ( Officials, in one day, issued approximately 70 arrest warrants. Investigators say the operation is one of the largest ever undertaken in western Pennsylvania. Two indictments led to the charges against the 39 people, one of whom has been in federal prison since the late 2000s and continued to coordinate and communicate with the ring from prison, Brady said. The Monroeville, Penn Hills, Elizabeth Township, Munhall, and Wilkinsburg police departments worked alongside the Office of Attorney General over the course of this investigation. The 27 people named in the indictment -- including several from the Pittsburgh area -- could face 10 years to life in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000 or both. Heres a more detailed list of what investigators found: The street value of the fentanyl is $1.4 million, AG Shapiro says, who called the bust, "the largest fentanyl seizures by the Office of Attorney Generals Bureau of Narcotics Investigation under the Shapiro administration.. Many of the investigations were jointly conducted by the Fayette County Drug Task Force and the Pennsylvania State Police Troop B Vice Unit. Operation Tripwire started 2 years ago after the postal service found cocaine hidden in a package. 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. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Those considered mid-level dealers in Fayette County deal up to $10,000 in drugs. beef brisket wine pairing. Subscribe to Pittsburgh Patch for more local news and real-time alerts. Montgomery District Attorney Michael D. Marino said some of the drug ring members used a vacant house on Visitation Road in Evansburg State Park. Johnstown, PA 15901, Pittsburgh:412-644-3500 Two are in state prisons in Graterford and Camp Hill. You will be found. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. There were 16.5 tons of the drug found in . 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. / CBS Pittsburgh. Five labs where speed was made were shut down during the course of the probe. The investigation began in the winter of 1988 with a street-level buy by a Philadelphia police officer, the state police said. Taylor is a convicted felon who is barred from owning a gun. Through strategic marketing campaign concepts, Alyssa has established Banyan as an industry leader and a national household name. 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. Attorney General . 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. Protect Your Home from Ticks with Yard Guard from Viking Pest, PA To Consider Adopting Significant Police Protection Measures, What Kind Of Home Can $1.9 Million Buy In Pittsburgh? . Sgt. the largest drug seizures in United States history," U.S. Attorney for the . First published on September 4, 2020 / 4:45 PM. A former Monessen man pleaded guilty to helping to run one of the largest drug trafficking organizations in the history of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Disclosure: 18 Biggest Drug Busts In U.S. History is originally published at Insider Monkey. September 4, 2020 / 4:45 PM Dozens of people were arrested and more than 9,000 packets of drugs were seized in a major heroin sweep in Hazelton, Pa. . We can help! 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. All the people indicted are from Philadelphia or New Jersey except one man from Florida. She added that she feels 70 warrants issued in one day is an impressive amount for a small county. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The incident occurred on July 11, 1990. Let's Find Out, PA County Wants To Make Its Own Gun Laws After Recent Court Defeat. Zappala said the last time he recalls a similar situation was a bust in Penn Hills, where drugs were hidden within a false bottom in a vehicle. All Rights Reserved. "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. 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved. Philadelphia police called in the state police for help and, after multiple street-level arrests, the investigation was expanded into New Jersey. About $90,000 worth of stock is also subject to forfeiture. Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. SHARE. These guys are players.. FBI, Pittsburgh police announce bust of large local fentanyl distribution ring. April 14, 2021 / 3:14 AM PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - More than two dozen people have been indicted for their alleged links to an international drug ring in Pittsburgh. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. ", "The function of the Postal Service is to deliver the nations mail, not transport illegal drugs into our community for drug traffickers. You cant enter the war on drugs with nickels and dimes, he said. The indictments were the result of a three-year investigation involving state and local police from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 0 . The gang operated from the East Hills, Homewood and Wilkinsburg all the way to Latrobe. It could not be determined late last night if Pirollo or Gatto were among those arrested. 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. Vernon said she couldn't anticipate when the remaining individuals would be apprehended. 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. 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. Alyssa who is the National Director of Digital Marketing, joined the Banyan team in 2016, bringing her five-plus years of experience. U.S. Attorney Scott Brady says the drug pipeline started with Mexican cartels, which sent large quantities of cocaine into the U.S. through California and Arizona. "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. Police found 1,800kg (283 stone) of what is known locally as. 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. The command post for this detail was the Connellsville Fire Station, located directly across Apple Street from the Connellsville Police Station. 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. These guys are of great interest to the federal government, Zappala said. A notorious drug dealer who got his start during the crack epidemic of the 1980s and was so good at hiding his whereabouts that he was known as "the ghost" has been arrested along with dozens of . 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