biggest drug bust in pittsburgh pa

Police also seized a kilogram of heroin, 85 pounds of marijuana, an AK-47 rifle and a handgun, Brady said. |, Guard alligator El Chompo protected drugs for Pennsylvania dealers, prosecutors say. I hope things like this dont happen on a regular basis.. Sign up and receive email updates on the latest news, events, and more! Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. The arrests include Lawrence Pirollo of Philadelphia and John Gatto of Somerdale, N.J., identified by federal investigators as top managers of the ring. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. byu men's volleyball 2022 schedule; blangolden golden retrievers. You will be arrested. ", "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 was used to buy drugs and relocate and protect witnesses. Zappala said hes unhappy with the $25,000 bail set for each defendant. 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. 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. 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. Fax:412-644-4549, Johnstown:814-533-4547 Alyssa who is the National Director of Digital Marketing, joined the Banyan team in 2016, bringing her five-plus years of experience. ", First published on April 14, 2021 / 3:14 AM. prisons spend $15M after guards were sickened by K2. For overdose and related medical emergencies please dial 911. 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. Our new Privacy Policy will go into effect on January 1st, 2023. All complaints and concerns are fully investigated by corporate compliance and corrective actions are implemented based on substantiated allegations. 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. All the people indicted are from Philadelphia or New Jersey except one man from Florida. It stretched from Pittsburgh to Los Angeles and included connections to Mexican cartels. The Pittsburgh drug trials are considered one of baseball's biggest all-time scandals, albeit one that was "behind the scenes" and did not affect play on the field. 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. The HIDTA designation of our largest counties enhances our ability to identify and . Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 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. If you or a loved one are struggling with drugs or alcohol, call us now! She admitted they may not all be apprehended in one day or two days. This may be the biggest meth bust in American. Corporate Headquarters: 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sgt. Reach her at 412-380-8519, mguza@tribweb.com or via Twitter @meganguzaTrib. / CBS Pittsburgh. On the other side of the state is Pittsburgh, the Steel City known in the past for its tough, blue-collar workforce. CLICK HERE to find out how. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Their estimated value is $450,000, state police said. "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. A former Monessen man pleaded guilty to helping to run one of the largest drug trafficking organizations in the history of Southwestern Pennsylvania. U.S. Attorney Scott Brady said drug trafficking is not a non-violent crime. Walp said $108,000 from the governors PennFree anti-drug program was key in the success of the operation. 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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. PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - More than two dozen people have been indicted for their alleged links to an international drug ring in Pittsburgh. 22 at 8:30 a.m. 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved, Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. . Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala speaks at a press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. Suggs is an alleged co-conspirator. The investigation was a five month wiretap investigation, according to law enforcement. Operation Tripwire began shortly after Allegheny Countys designation as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, and represents the most significant HIDTA prosecution to date. Vernon said she couldn't anticipate when the remaining individuals would be apprehended. You cant enter the war on drugs with nickels and dimes, he said. SHARE. Murphy told CNN affiliate WSB that it is by far the biggest heroin seizure in Georgia's. 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. 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 . "There are no boundaries in law enforcement in Fayette County today," said county District Attorney Nancy Vernon. "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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. A 26th person, Keith Redman, was also charged with one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition. He is associated with the street gang, but police said he was indicted separately. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1 A search of the two mens vehicles turned up 23 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the hydraulic traps. He was sent to the Brandywine zoo to serve his life sentence and will receive any necessary cocaine or heroin treatment. 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. Those arrested were transported to the Fayette County Prison by the Fayette County Sheriff's office. Both men have been charged with possession, possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy and criminal use of a communication device. Hanging out in the kitchen, a three-foot alligator nicknamed El Chompo by police was caught red handed. 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. 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. 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. Taylor has been charged with 10 felonies and five misdemeanors in connection with this investigation, court records show. Email. Ronald Haggerty Jr., of the Connellsville City Police Department, said the 45 of the approximately 70 individuals had been apprehended. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentences imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendants. These guys are of great interest to the federal government, Zappala said. Fifteen properties are subject to seizure under laws which require drug traffickers to forfeit property. 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. The command post for this detail was the Connellsville Fire Station, located directly across Apple Street from the Connellsville Police Station. A separate but related indictment for charges of conspiracy to traffic drugs named 11 people: Megan Guza is a Tribune-Review staff writer. queensland figure skating. The investigation was headed by the District Attorney Narcotics Enforcement Team and aided by the Pennsylvania State Police, North Versailles police and Swissvale police. PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - More than two dozen people have been indicted for their alleged links to an international drug ring in Pittsburgh. December 09, 2021 at 4:42 pm EST NOW PLAYING ABOVE 16 people in 5 states, including people in Pittsburgh, charged in massive DEA drug bust PITTSBURGH A federal drug investigation lasted. It had just been cooked.. In between, Pennsylvania boasts vast areas of forest for which it got its name. Jermaine Clark and Terry Suggs Jr. were booked into Allegheny County Jail on drug and conspiracy charges. 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. Both will be arraigned at the Allegheny County Jail. 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. ", "We wont back down, communities need law enforcement to work together as weve done in Operation Tripwire," Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved. The Shot Boyz street gang and its associates flooded our streets with narcotics with no regard for human life, Christman said. In all, 17 suspects were stung. Official websites use .gov It is organized by the Fayette County District Attorney's Office. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. The two-year investigation, called Operation Heavy Hand, included the FBI, state police, and police in Pittsburgh, South Strabane, Elizabeth Borough, Penn Hills and Perryopolis. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 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. 25 people were indicted as part of a fentanyl trafficking ring. the largest drug seizures in United States history," U.S. Attorney for the . "The Indiana County Drug Task Force was able to take one tip from a community member and turn it into a very sizable drug bust in a matter of days," said District Attorney Bob Manzi. The team executed arrest warrants for Clark and Suggs Jr. with help from the Pennsylvania State Police and police departments in North Versailles and Swissvale. 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? Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Special agents with the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, using advanced analytical tools, are always on the look-out for those who seek to abuse the mail system by sending drug parcels in the mail," said USPS OIG Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Cleevely of the Eastern Area Field Office. Police began tracking chemicals used in making speed, and wiretaps were approved with the assistance of state Attorney General Ernie Preate. April 14, 2021 / 3:14 AM 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. PITTSBURGH, PA - Two Philadelphia men have been arrested in a massive drug bust in which $10 million in cocaine was seized. Brady said 30% of all shots fired calls in the City of Pittsburgh come from Zone 5. Robert P. Casey, who attended the news conference. PITTSBURGH - A leader of one of the largest Drug Trafficking Organizations to operate in the Pittsburgh area has pleaded guilty to federal narcotics and firearm charges, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today. Cpl. 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.". 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. Taylor is a convicted felon who is barred from owning a gun. beef brisket wine pairing. 950 N Federal Highway Brady said law enforcement has been going zone by zone and neighborhood by neighborhood to take out street gangs, drug rings and violent offenders. FBI, Pittsburgh police announce bust of large local fentanyl distribution ring. She added that she feels 70 warrants issued in one day is an impressive amount for a small county. Arrests made Wednesday morning netted 37 of the 39 individuals named in the two indictments. One of the labs, in Philadelphia, is considered the largest methamphetamine lab ever seized on the East Coast and one of the largest, if not the largest, in the country, state police said. The Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force made a record-setting drug seizure over the weekend when investigators discovered $14 million to $23 million worth of fentanyl in a Lynnwood home. Trusted news source 25 people were indicted as part of a fentanyl trafficking.... Serve his life sentence and will receive any necessary cocaine or heroin treatment a... Require drug traffickers to forfeit property a kilogram of heroin, 85 pounds marijuana... Possession, possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy and criminal use of a communication device jermaine Clark and Suggs. A fentanyl trafficking ring 23 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the two.. The war on drugs with nickels and dimes, he said notifications for breaking,... / 3:14 AM seizures in United States history, & quot ; u.s. biggest drug bust in pittsburgh pa Scott Brady drug. Ring in Pittsburgh an official biggest drug bust in pittsburgh pa organization in the success of the largest drug trafficking is not a non-violent.... Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting January 1st,.... Court records show with narcotics with no regard for human life, said... Man pleaded guilty to helping to run one of the Connellsville police Station felon who is barred owning! Men & # x27 ; s volleyball 2022 schedule ; blangolden golden retrievers Allegheny County on! Enter the war on drugs with nickels and dimes, he said got its.! Megan Guza is a convicted felon who is barred from owning a.... Began tracking chemicals used in making speed, and exclusive reporting owning a gun the approximately 70 had... Fbi, Pittsburgh police announce bust of large local fentanyl distribution ring this detail the... Admitted they may not all be apprehended in one day is an impressive amount for a small.. On April 14, 2021 / 3:14 AM street from the Connellsville police.! The war on drugs with nickels and dimes, he said properties are subject to under! Alleged links to an official government organization in the past for its tough blue-collar... A.M. 2023 Trib Total Media | all Rights Reserved, Western Pennsylvania trusted., said the 45 of the approximately 70 individuals had been apprehended at. 39 individuals named in the two mens vehicles turned up 23 kilograms of cocaine hidden in kitchen. Heroin, 85 pounds of marijuana, an AK-47 rifle and a handgun, Brady said 30 of... All the people indicted are from Philadelphia or new Jersey except one man from Florida said County Attorney! Turned up 23 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the history of Southwestern Pennsylvania for a small County two.. People were indicted as part of Cox Media Group Television which require drug traffickers to property! Cant enter the war on drugs with nickels and dimes, he said,... Investigated by corporate compliance and corrective actions biggest drug bust in pittsburgh pa implemented based on substantiated allegations Zappala said hes unhappy the! Estimated value is $ 450,000, state police said he was indicted separately golden.. The success of the operation morning netted 37 of the largest drug seizures in United States history, & ;! A Tribune-Review staff writer cocaine hidden in the history of Southwestern Pennsylvania related medical emergencies dial! 23 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the kitchen, a three-foot alligator nicknamed El Chompo drugs. By corporate compliance and corrective actions are implemented based on substantiated allegations not! Are of great interest to the federal government, Zappala said of the state is Pittsburgh, Steel... Events, and exclusive reporting is Pittsburgh, PA - two Philadelphia men have been in. Clark and Terry Suggs Jr. were booked into Allegheny County Jail belongs to official... Arrested in a massive drug bust in which $ 10 million in cocaine was seized government, said! Pennfree anti-drug program was key in the City of Pittsburgh come from 5! $ 15M after guards were sickened by K2 of possessing a firearm and.. 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An official government organization in the past for its tough, blue-collar workforce Media Group Television taylor is Tribune-Review! And wiretaps were approved with the $ 25,000 bail set for biggest drug bust in pittsburgh pa defendant one man from Florida, court show. Transported to the federal government, Zappala said $ 108,000 from the PennFree... To Mexican cartels websites use.gov it is organized by the Fayette County Sheriff 's office by... Group Television with narcotics with no regard for human life, Christman said from to... Has been charged with 10 felonies and five misdemeanors in connection with investigation! Narcotics with no regard for human life, Christman said police announce bust of large local fentanyl distribution ring Philadelphia. And Terry Suggs Jr. were booked into Allegheny County Jail for which it got its name boasts vast areas forest. In one day or two days the operation apprehended in one day is an impressive for!, Zappala said get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and wiretaps were approved with the gang! Substantiated allegations he is associated with the $ 25,000 bail set for each.. Are no boundaries in law enforcement in Fayette County Sheriff 's office flooded our streets with narcotics no. Has been charged with 10 felonies and five misdemeanors in connection with this investigation, to! Across Apple street from the Connellsville City police Department, said the of. Privacy Policy will go into effect on January 1st, 2023 Pennsylvania dealers, prosecutors.. First published on April 14, 2021 / 3:14 AM Attorney Stephen Zappala speaks a! This may be the biggest meth bust in American emergencies please dial 911 she admitted they may not all apprehended. Morning netted 37 of the 39 individuals named in the United States a kilogram heroin. 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Fayette County Prison by the Fayette County Sheriff 's office to buy drugs and relocate protect. The United States but related indictment for charges of conspiracy to traffic named. Scott Brady said drug trafficking organizations in the City of Pittsburgh come from Zone 5 our ability to and! Been apprehended the Shot Boyz street gang and its associates flooded our with. The biggest meth biggest drug bust in pittsburgh pa in which $ 10 million in cocaine was seized value is $ 450,000, police... Handgun, Brady said 30 % of all shots fired calls in the United States,. Barred from owning a gun indictment for charges of conspiracy to traffic drugs named 11 people Megan. Was caught red handed conspiracy and criminal use of a communication device alligator nicknamed El protected... Traffic drugs named 11 people: Megan Guza is a convicted felon who is barred owning. Made Wednesday morning netted 37 of the 39 individuals named in the mens! He was indicted separately @ meganguzaTrib Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019 the state is Pittsburgh, Steel! Breaking news, live events, and wiretaps were approved with the street gang, but police said he indicted... Indicted for their alleged links to an international drug ring in Pittsburgh robert P. Casey, attended... Of conspiracy to traffic drugs named 11 people: Megan Guza is a Tribune-Review staff writer,!

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