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. Four teams were sent to the northern part of the county; one large team was sent to the southern part. women's college lacrosse workout program. 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. 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. $500 million Pacific Ocean drug bust 105 ton marijuana drug bust 12 ton Coast Guard drug bust 13.8 . There were 16.5 tons of the drug found in . These guys are of great interest to the federal government, Zappala said. 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TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. 1 These guys are players.. wpvi. 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 . You cant enter the war on drugs with nickels and dimes, he said. Officials, in one day, issued approximately 70 arrest warrants. Erie, PA 16501, 319 Washington Street,Suite 200 The task force is made up of 35 municipal police officers from all parts of the county. The indictments were the result of a three-year investigation involving state and local police from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Were committed to the Mon Valley and to the eastern sections of Allegheny County, Zappala said. "I think it sends a message to the drug community to show them that we mean business.". This may be the biggest meth bust in American. 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. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Fax:814-533-4545. 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. Both men have been charged with possession, possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy and criminal use of a communication device. Statistics and Facts About Binge Eating Disorder, Almond Mom Yolanda Hadid Fuels Diet Culture. The arrests include Lawrence Pirollo of Philadelphia and John Gatto of Somerdale, N.J., identified by federal investigators as top managers of the ring. 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. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. sinastria di coppia karmica calcolo; quincy homeless shelter; plastic bags for cleaning oven racks; claudia procula death; farm jobs in vermont with housing Zappala said hes unhappy with the $25,000 bail set for each defendant. The warranted search led to the discovery of multiple drugs, guns, vehicles, and more than $545,000 in cash on Mar. The cocaine ring was among the largest in the history of Western Pennsylvania, Brady said. Email. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. In October 2020, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced one of the largest drug busts in history. "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. 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. 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. Eight pounds of speed was seized from the Montgomery lab, Fountain said. 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. Deabure Lightfoot, 29, Monday in federal court pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, said U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady. Those arrested were transported to the Fayette County Prison by the Fayette County Sheriff's office. But what if it was just in their heads? It was the largest methamphetamine bust ever in Pennsylvania. Through strategic marketing campaign concepts, Alyssa has established Banyan as an industry leader and a national household name. Montgomery District Attorney Michael D. Marino said some of the drug ring members used a vacant house on Visitation Road in Evansburg State Park. 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. "By taking down an entire multistate organization at once, the impact on our region is felt immediately," Brady said. The meth was still hot, Fountain said. And you will go to jail, he said. Subscribe to Pittsburgh Patch for more local news and real-time alerts. Both will be arraigned at the Allegheny County Jail. FBI, Pittsburgh police announce bust of large local fentanyl distribution ring. queensland figure skating. 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. U.S. Attorney Scott Brady says the drug pipeline. Police arrested Allan Burnheimer, a 34-year-old from Blacklick, and charged Burnheimer with possession with intent to distribute, and other felonies. 700 Grant Street, Suite 4000 TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. prisons spend $15M after guards were sickened by K2. Police arrested. Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. 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. Those considered mid-level dealers in Fayette County deal up to $10,000 in drugs. 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. Called the Shot Boyz, 25 people were charged, according to police. At least 29 people were arrested in a roundup that started at 6 a.m. 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. 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. The command post for this detail was the Connellsville Fire Station, located directly across Apple Street from the Connellsville Police Station. Arrests made Wednesday morning netted 37 of the 39 individuals named in the two indictments. 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. Kressmore J. Watson, 33, of Los Angeles, CA. 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.". It could not be determined late last night if Pirollo or Gatto were among those arrested. The brothers' father, Jamie Lightfoot Sr., participated in the ring from federal prison, Brady said. PITTSBURGH, PA - Two Philadelphia men have been arrested in a massive drug bust in which $10 million in cocaine was seized. 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. 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. The incident occurred on July 11, 1990. 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. the largest drug seizures in United States history," U.S. Attorney for the . Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. 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. SHARE. First published on September 4, 2020 / 4:45 PM. It was. An indictment is an accusation. 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