PA Office of Attorney General / Press Office The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney Generals Bureau of Narcotics Investigations led the investigation. Shapiro called this mornings drug busts a textbook [example] of what went well.. >> WE NOTICED THAT THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THIS CONTINUED THEIR ACTIVITIES. These individuals have profited from selling dangerous drugs that fuel the opioid epidemic and devastate our communities. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. PITTSBURGH - Twenty-one members of a drug trafficking organization primarily operating in Washington, Allegheny and Fayette Counties in southwestern Pennsylvania have been indicted by a federal grand jury for trafficking significant quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today. The investigation was conducted in partnership with Task Force Officers from the Attorney Generals North Central Drug Task Force, Elk County District Attorneys Office, Elk County District Attorneys Office County Detective, City of St. Marys Police Department, Clarion Police Department, Edinboro Police Department, Erie Bureau of Police, Girard Borough Police Department, Johnsonburg Police Department, Lake City Police Department, Millcreek Township Police Department, Ridgway Police Department and the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Bureau of Investigations and Intelligence. It is further alleged that co-conspirators maintained apartments in Milton, Pennsylvania for the purpose of packaging, storing, and distributing heroin and cocaine hydrochloride. The ongoing operation also resulted in confiscating 17 illegally owned guns, seizing illegal drugs and more than $18,000 since November, Shapiro said. The 63 people arrested were charged with a variety of drug-related crimes. By combining the resources and expertise of federal agencies and their state and local law enforcement partners, OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the most serious drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational criminal organizations. The subsequent investigation into their trafficking network identified nine other individuals involved in trafficking methamphetamine: Dustin Black, Ashley Bowley, Adam Curci, Rikki Curcio, Andrew Hoover, Joseph Krise, James McDonald, Cayla Royer, and Michael VanDyne. OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nations primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets. Sample Page; ; The occurrence of these arrests during the COVID-19 pandemic was unintentional, but necessary, he said. The first indictment names the following individuals as defendants: All of the 22 defendants are charged in Count 1 with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of heroin, 28 grams or more of cocaine base, a quantity of cocaine, and a quantity of methamphetamine from June 2020 to June 2021. As the investigation evolved, Regional Officers learned of active warrants for several subjects residing . While executing search warrants, agents from the Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations seized 100 grams, or 3,300 doses, of fentanyl/heroin, 325 fentanyl pills, 56 grams of cocaine, seven firearms, and $100,000 in cash. Six additional individuals were also taken into police custody. The six-month investigation conducted by the Office of Attorney Generals Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, resulted in the arrests of multiple members of a corrupt organization peddling heroin, fentanyl, and other drugs into Harrisburg. RON: THE DAUPHIN COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAS ANNOUNCED THE ARREST OF NEARLY TWO DOZEN PEOPLE IN CONNECTION WITH A DRUG TRAFFICKING RING. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant. Official websites use .gov Those arrested are not being identified at this time because the investigation remains ongoing. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. It is the keystone of the drug reduction strategy of the Department of Justice. This investigation began well before the outbreak of the coronavirus. Those arrested are not being identified at this time because the investigation remains ongoing. Since April of 2019, the Pennsylvania State Police, working with our Dauphin County Drug Task Force and other law enforcement agencies, dedicated thousands of hours to uncovering evidence of an extensive drug-trafficking organization in the City of Harrisburg. Click on photo to enlarge. 235 N. Washington Avenue, Suite 311 Fax:814-533-4545. These dealers are now out of business.. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of approximately $149,990 in U.S. Currency seized from Alejandro Alvarez and Jose Garabito Mejia. Crime never takes a holiday, nor does it take a break for a pandemic, Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo said Thursday. Combined Injury Reports . More than 60 people have been arrested in a drug bust in Harrisburg. THE D.A. Methamphetamine presents a clear and present danger to the safety and well-being of our western Pennsylvania communities, said Brady. THEY WERE TRAFFICKING EVEN IN THE MIDST OF A TIME WHEN MOST PEOPLE WERE AT HOME. Scranton, PA 18503, Telephone: (570) 348-2800 HARRISBURG, Pa.-. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants. Chardo said the Operation Hill Fire probe began in April 2019, long before anyone heard of the coronavirus, and accelerated within the last few months. In addition to the fentanyl and heroin mixture, investigators found 325 fentanyl pills, 56 grams of cocaine, seven firearms and about $100,000 in cash while carrying out search warrants, authorities said. In the seizure of multiple firearms, we are yet again reminded of the dangerous and violent enterprise drug trafficking has become. TheBurg Daily: Recent local news, blogs, and features. The Pennsylvania State Police announced 25 individuals were arrested for their involvement in a drug-trafficking operation in the central . In 2013, Attorney General Kane, with the help of the state Legislature, launched the Commonwealth's first ever Mobile Street Crimes Unit (MSCU) to combat drug trafficking and gang-related violence. Lock Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States. The Pennsylvania State Police and its law enforcement partners remain committed to combating this type of illegal drug trade plaguing our communities., Today is a great day for Clearfield County thanks to the hard work of US Attorney Brady, his staff, the DEA, the ATF and the Pennsylvania State Police, Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan P. Sayers said. Count 3 charges Gilmore with possessing with intent to distribute and distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base on September 17, 2020. 05-06 HPD Investigates Suspected Overdose Death. He is also charged at count five, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in and around and between July of 2019 and April 4, 2020. This is the culmination of months of work by the great men and women of the Harrisburg Bureau of Police, along with Dauphin County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Government, Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams said in a Friday news release, issued by the Attorney Generals Office. The defendants are innocent unless and until proven guilty. KENSINGTON (PHILADELPHIA) HARRISBURG ARREST DRUG BUST. Published: 12:52 PM EDT April 30, 2020 Updated: 5:44 PM EDT April 30, 2020 DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. 23 people have been charged in connection to a drug trafficking investigation. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS PITTSBURGH - Twenty-five individuals have been named in two separate, but related, Indictments for trafficking multiple drugs, including heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and cocaine base, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today. He is also charged with count 10 with possession with intent to distribute and or distribution of methamphetamine or a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine on March 14, 2020. The investigation culminated in the execution of search warrants in October 2020, when agents seized more than eight pounds or 700,000 doses of methamphetamine. Contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration if you need help for drug addiction at 1-800-662-4357 TRENDING NOW: FBI, Pittsburgh police announce bust of large local . Everybody has given their word that we will fight this drug war and we will save as many kids as we can. Harrisburgs streets today are instantly safer, with fewer guns, drugs, and criminals, thanks to their tireless dedication,said Harrisburg Mayor Wanda R.D. DEA Pittsburgh is proud of the partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police and ATF, said Paris Pratt, assistant special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration. John Christopher Bisbee, Alexis Brolin Jr., Jonathan Bierley and Evarie Magee are charged at count three with conspiracy to commit money laundering from July of 2019 to June of 2020. He said that because of the extensive resources invested in the case, as well as the serious nature of the alleged offenses, law enforcement needed to bring the investigation to a conclusion.The following individuals face charges: Carlos Soto-Gonzalez, 41 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity; persons not to possess firearms; unlawful sale of firearmLuis Alvarez-Hernandez, 35 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activityAngel Cintron-Cardona, 24 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activityChristopher Vale-Feliciano, 31 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activityGabriel Rodriguez-Quinones, 32 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (pills); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activityHeriberto Ortiz-Torres, 31 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine) possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (marijuana); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activityDaniel Mejias-Labrador, 32 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin) possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activityPaulara Valentin-Rivera, 23 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activityKenneth Cancel-Menendez, 22 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); criminal conspiracy (Persons not to Possess Firearms); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizationsKevin Ponce Garcia, 25 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizationsJeffrey Pagan Archeval, 35 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizationsOmar Alvarado-Ortiz, 26 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizationsEdwin Perez-Baez, 28 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal conspiracy (unlawful sale of firearm); corrupt organizationsRoberto Colon, 32 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizationsChristopher Rivera, 27 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizationsAngelica Lugo Lopez, 29 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizationsMariely Torres Santiago, 22 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activityBraulio Ponce Ramos, 38 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (marijuana); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizationsAdneryz Jordan-Quiles, 28 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activityNathan Beckfield, 46 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); criminal use of communication facilityPaul Klinger, 30 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); criminal use of communication facilityRamon Rosario (Weechi)Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizationsJose Borges-Muniz, 27 years oldCharges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations, Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. 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