Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. Following a tip, police stopped a vehicle on Route 22 on April 8, and during a search of the vehicle, they found 50 bricks of heroin and fentanyl. About $90,000 worth of stock is also subject to forfeiture. 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. Police arrested. biggest drug bust in pittsburgh pa. julia baird barrister ava law group reviews ralph woolfolk wife notice of intent to serve subpoena pennsylvania. Fifty-three people allegedly involved in a multi-million-dollar drug ring were indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday on charges of making and distributing methamphetamine, or speed. Domonique Taylor, 37, had his home on Moody Street in Pittsburgh's Braddock neighborhood searched as part of an investigation five police departments were assisting in since Aug. 2021. "There are no boundaries in law enforcement in Fayette County today," said county District Attorney Nancy Vernon. Lock 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. These guys are players.. 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. "(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. All told, the amount of cocaine seized had a street value of $2 million. 11, according to the release and court records. Both will be arraigned at the Allegheny County Jail. The operation involved around 80 investigators from nine . "This case is another example of how essential law enforcement collaboration is in combatting drug trafficking. Officials pegged Clark as a head of the trafficking organization and accused Suggs Jr. of being a co-conspirator. The indictments were the result of a three-year investigation involving state and local police from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Ages and addresses of the suspects were not available. You cant enter the war on drugs with nickels and dimes, he said. ", "We wont back down, communities need law enforcement to work together as weve done in Operation Tripwire," Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. You will be found. "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. 0 . In October 1989, two labs, 30 pounds of speed and a half pound of cocaine were seized. Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala speaks at a press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. Subscribe to Pittsburgh Patch for more local news and real-time alerts. After being contacted by FBI agents in Philadelphia, the District Attorneys Narcotics Enforcement Team began investigating the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh cocaine trafficking ring in July 2018. "I think that's a record," said Vernon. Police said some individuals are still being sought and an updated list will follow. 1 Arrests made Wednesday morning netted 37 of the 39 individuals named in the two indictments. 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. One of the largest drug busts in the history of Pennsylvania was announced by Attorney General Josh Shapiro on Thursday. Fifty-three people allegedly involved in a multi-million-dollar drug ring were indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday on charges of making and distributing methamphetamine, or speed. Have a question about Government Services? 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. Two are in state prisons in Graterford and Camp Hill. uss canberra crew list. It had just been cooked.. wpvi. Murphy told CNN affiliate WSB that it is by far the biggest heroin seizure in Georgia's. According to the district attorneys office, it is believed the pair have spent the past two years transporting hundreds of kilograms of cocaine to communities in Allegheny County. Official websites use .gov This may be the biggest meth bust in American. Suite 115 If you or a loved one are struggling with drugs or alcohol, call us now! 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. 700 Grant Street, Suite 4000 The incident occurred on July 11, 1990. Operation Tripwire began shortly after Allegheny Countys designation as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, and represents the most significant HIDTA prosecution to date. The indictments were announced at the news conference at the Belmont barracks of the state police in Philadelphia. Let's Find Out, PA County Wants To Make Its Own Gun Laws After Recent Court Defeat. U.S. Attorney Scott Brady says the drug pipeline. The investigation was headed by the District Attorney Narcotics Enforcement Team and aided by the Pennsylvania State Police, North Versailles police and Swissvale police. women's college lacrosse workout program. For overdose and related medical emergencies please dial 911. Drug and alcohol addiction is a nationwide epidemic, please reach out if you or a loved one is suffering. A second mate and a crew member have been arrested in the massive bust. We will work with our law enforcement partners to seize drug traffickers narcotics and money, and seek to put them in prison. Taken into custody in North Braddock Monday were Jermaine Clark. Our new Privacy Policy will go into effect on January 1st, 2023. Fayette County law enforcement officials said Tuesday that they had conducted "the largest drug bust in the county's history.". Allegheny County District Attorneys Office. Statistics and Facts About Binge Eating Disorder, Almond Mom Yolanda Hadid Fuels Diet Culture. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. 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. 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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - More than two dozen people have been indicted for their alleged links to an international drug ring in Pittsburgh. 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. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. PITTSBURGHAfter a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking in the Homewood section of the City of Pittsburgh and other communities in the Greater Pittsburgh area, 40 people have been indicted . Taylor is a convicted felon who is barred from owning a gun. 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. The two groups joined forces, and a lab in Union County was discovered and seized just as people were making a chemical used in the speed manufacturing process. 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. 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. Were committed to the Mon Valley and to the eastern sections of Allegheny County, Zappala said. Investigators say a search of their two vehicles turned up a total of 23 kilograms of cocaine or more than 50 pounds with an estimated Street value of about $10 million. He'd been indicted on federal drug charges years earlier. A separate but related indictment for charges of conspiracy to traffic drugs named 11 people: Megan Guza is a Tribune-Review staff writer. In all, 17 suspects were stung. beef brisket wine pairing. The arrests include Lawrence Pirollo of Philadelphia and John Gatto of Somerdale, N.J., identified by federal investigators as top managers of the ring. 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. Taylor has been charged with 10 felonies and five misdemeanors in connection with this investigation, court records show. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. PITTSBURGH, PA - Two Philadelphia men have been arrested in a massive drug bust in which $10 million in cocaine was seized. 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. At least 29 people were arrested in a roundup that started at 6 a.m. 1:23 PHILADELPHIA Federal authorities have upped the amount of cocaine they seized from a ship at the Philadelphia port to more than 35,000 pounds, or 15,876 kilograms, making it the largest. The Shot Boyz street gang and its associates flooded our streets with narcotics with no regard for human life, Christman said. And you will go to jail, he said. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. SHARE. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The gang operated from the East Hills, Homewood and Wilkinsburg all the way to Latrobe. 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. Officers intercepted a truck carrying 55 million methamphetamine tablets and. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. 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,. "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. 25 people were indicted as part of a fentanyl trafficking ring. The meth was still hot, Fountain said. "I think it sends a message to the drug community to show them that we mean business.". We can help! By 6abc. "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. Sign up below to receive 10% OFF your entire order! Philadelphia police called in the state police for help and, after multiple street-level arrests, the investigation was expanded into New Jersey. 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. The Monroeville, Penn Hills, Elizabeth Township, Munhall, and Wilkinsburg police departments worked alongside the Office of Attorney General over the course of this investigation. Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. A former Monessen man pleaded guilty to helping to run one of the largest drug trafficking organizations in the history of Southwestern Pennsylvania. romanov fortune in swiss banks. ", "The function of the Postal Service is to deliver the nations mail, not transport illegal drugs into our community for drug traffickers. 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. 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. A drug bust in South Coatesville, Pennsylvania revealed a large stash of crack cocaine, heroin, cash, and one guard gator. "We work every day to stop those who bring dangerous drugs and guns into our neighborhoods. Jamaal Maragh (a/k/a Alrick Williams a/k/a Frederick Vanlierop), 38, of Turtle Creek, PA; Noel Perez Aguilar (a/k/a Venado), 48, of Los Angeles, CA; Juan Carlos Alejandres, 26, of Los Angeles, CA; Ramon S. Araiza-Vega, 27, of Rio Rico, AZ; Jose D. Delosrios Benitez (a/k/a McQueen), 30, of Inglewood, CA; Johnny Bravo, Jr., 32, of Los Angeles, CA; Antonio Egurrola-Gamboa (a/k/a Chango), 32, of Tucson, AZ; Roberto Egurrola-Vasquez (a/k/a Gordito), 32, of Tucson, AZ; Howard E. Johnson III, 30, of Pittsburgh, PA; Alexis A. Perez Lopez, 44, of Los Angeles, CA; Clayton F. Manning, 43, of Los Angeles, CA; Rachel M. Novalesi, 37, of Rochester, PA; Justo Edgardo Parra Jr., 28, of Nogales, AZ; Odean Samuels (a/k/a Martin ONeil, a/k/a Smokey), 32, of Canoga Park, CA; Manuel Silvestre, 49, of Los Angeles, CA; Steven L. Trent Jr., 50, of Penn Hills, PA; Darrick Watkins, 50, of Los Angeles, CA; and. 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