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. TTY: (570) 341-2077. The six-month investigation conducted by the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, resulted in the arrests of multiple members of a corrupt organization peddling heroin, fentanyl, and other drugs into Harrisburg. $1.6 million worth of fentanyl seized in Montco bust: DA. More than 60 people have been arrested in a drug bust in Harrisburg. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the crime charged in Count 6 of the Indictment. 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. The Attorney Generals Office said the six-month investigation aimed to curb the amount of drugs flowing in and out of Harrisburg. Since the operation began in November, the unit has arrested 131 dealers selling heroin, the opioid fentanyl, powder cocaine, crack cocaine and other drugs in the Harrisburg region, AG officials said. I am proud of the outstanding contributions of our Drug Task Force and our tactical team.. Postal Inspection Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Dauphin County District Attorneys Office. 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. An official website of the United States government. Indictments are only allegations. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 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 . The ongoing operation also resulted in confiscating 17 illegally owned guns, seizing illegal drugs and more than $18,000 since November, Shapiro said. Scranton, PA 18503, Telephone: (570) 348-2800 All charges are accusations. The ongoing operation also resulted in confiscating 17 illegally owned guns, seizing illegal drugs and more than $18,000 since November, Shapiro said. An official website of the United States government. They could come outside again with confidence in their safety and well-being, Shapiro said at a press conference today. During the 30-day investigation, undercover agents purchased and seized heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, synthetic marijuana and prescription pills.Officers also seized 3 guns, including a revolver that was reported as stolen. Fax: (WBRE/WYOU) A big drug bust in the Poconos nets a well-known resident of a private community. The indictment further alleges that defendants used guns, robbery, and kidnapping as tools to keep their criminal operation running. Our communities need to know this is a joint effort and couldn't be done without the help of state, local and federal partners., These defendants stand accused of trafficking multiple potentially deadly street drugs such as fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack cocaine. An indictment is an accusation. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. 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. Harrisburg, PA 17120, Phone: 3,926 shares By Christine Vendel |. At a house on the 2300-block of Luce Street, near Derry Street, the unit arrested one dealer, officials said. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Were committed to shutting down these dangerous, illegal trafficking operations, keeping Pennsylvania neighborhoods safe, and saving lives.. 717-787-3391. Thursday afternoon, 50-year-old Robert Temple was led into . TheBurg Daily: Recent local news, blogs, and features. According to the Chester County District Attorney, the ring bought and sold methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, marijuana and prescription drugs, with a delivery operation that reached from around. . 235 N. Washington Avenue, Suite 311 Sample Page; ; Fax: Harrisburg filmmaker rereleases gun violence documentary to publicize issue that wont go away. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daryl F. Bloom is prosecuting the case. More than 60 people have been arrested in a drug bust in Harrisburg. Click on photo to enlarge. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justices signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. 16th Floor, Strawberry Square Mailing Address: HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal Grand Jury in Scranton has indicted 14 Central Pennsylvania men charging them with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine. The unit works with local municipalities across the state to target street-level crimes, normally related to drugs or gangs, AG officials said. HARRISBURG, Pa.-. Count 6 charges Sams with possessing with intent to distribute and distribution of a quantity of cocaine on April 18, 2021. Chardo said the arrests were necessary, even during the pandemic. "Thanks to this yearlong investigation with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, we have been able to take down more than two dozen violent drug traffickers.". ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. SAYS OFFICERS FOUND LARGE AMOUNTS OF FENTANYL HEROIN, COCAINE, MARIJUANA, , GUNS, AND CASH. Fax: (570) 348-2037 AG Shapiro Announces 15 Arrested, 7 Firearms Seized in Harrisburg Drug Trafficking Operation, Send Drug and Child Predator Anonymous Tips, Community Drug Abuse Prevention Grant Program, ACRE Agriculture, Communities and Rural Environment, Pennsylvania State Coroners Education Board, Voters Rights in Effect at the Polling Places on Election Days. View March's Digital Issue, Select Capital Commercial Properties, Inc, Walnut Street Bridge Unisex Black T-Shirt, Walnut Street Bridge Unisex White T-Shirt, The Roots, The Struts added to summer concert lineup in Harrisburg, The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg, Dauphin County housing authority urges landlords to accept housing choice vouchers, will host educational event, Commonwealth buys Susquehanna River islands to conserve, keep public, Modern-style apartment building proposed along riverfront in Harrisburg, Harrisburg School District to sell former Woodward School property to affordable housing developer, Address: 920 N 3rd Street, Suite 101, Harrisburg, PA 17102. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Departments renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorneys Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. The indictment charges all defendants, with the exception of Evarie Magee, with count two, conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine or a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, from July of 2019 to June of 2020, in the Western District of Pennsylvania. 23 people charged in 'sophisticated' drug trafficking operation in Harrisburg, WGAL.COM/COMMUNITY. Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved. However, due to the extensive resources invested in this case, as well as the serious nature of the offenses committed, we needed to bring this investigation to a successful conclusion.. The firearm had been reported stolen. Five Harrisburg men and another man from California are facing federal drug trafficking charges after being indicted by a federal grand jury, U.S. Attorney David J. He was taken into custody and a loaded firearm was discovered in his possession. Just as your police and prosecutors continue to work every day during this pandemic, the sophisticated criminals do as well, Chardo added. The unit arrested two dealers on the 100-block of Balm St., near State and Cameron streets, seized $2,900 and nine grams of cocaine. These communities made it a priority to target street-level dealers, Shapiro said. On average, police made 38 marijuana-related arrests per day in Pennsylvania. Lock In 2014, a similar investigation led to the arrest of 239 individuals. Authorities estimate the value of the drugs at $8.5 million. The defendants are innocent unless and until proven guilty. A search warrant was obtained, which resulted in the discovery of 741 bags of heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and $2,374 in cash from a city residence. The statutes call for a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the felon in possession charge and a minimum sentence of five years in prison for possession in furtherance of a drug crime charge. Wallace, Curcio, Krise, and Royer were taken into custody this week and charged with Criminal Conspiracy and drug-related offenses. - An undercover agent reported that he purchased 50 bags of heroin in the 400 block of South 14th Street from a 28-year-old male. Updated: May 4, 2020 / 07:45 AM EDT STEELTON, Pa. (WHTM) Officials say three people are charged after a drug bust in Dauphin County. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. A quarter of a million dollar bail was no impediment to him.. After a brief chase, the juvenile was located hiding behind several houses. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Six additional individuals were also taken into police custody.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. 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. 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. 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. 03-27 Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested. All charges are accusations. Harrisburgs streets today are instantly safer, with fewer guns, drugs, and criminals, thanks to their tireless dedication,said Harrisburg Mayor Wanda R.D. Harrisburg, PA 17120 The statute calls for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Harrisburg, Pa. - Narcotics and Drug Control agents seized a massive amount of fentanyl in Pittsburgh this week. Harrisburg, PA 17120, Phone: The investigation into the rings began in 2019 after agents from the Offices Bureau of Narcotics Investigations identified Thomas Wallace, Margaret Wisor, Joshua Pulliam, and Joshua Coles as trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine and heroin/fentanyl throughout Elk and Erie counties. This case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Roger Bauer. The indictment also alleges that defendants used a sophisticated system of GPS tracking devices, which they placed in their parcels, to keep track of their drugs and money. A locked padlock Count 2 charges London Pinkins and Phillips with conspiring to launder drug trafficking proceeds from February 2021 to June 2021. The sweep on Wednesday that resulted in the arrests also netted 200 grams of fentanyl, 600 grams of cocaine, 525 packets of synthetic marijuana, a money counting machine, five handguns, one AR rifle, two stolen ATVs, more than $32,000 in cash and seven vehicles, Chardo said. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania, 25 Indicted for Drug Trafficking in Western PA and Beyond, Acting United States Attorney Rivetti Announces Implementation of New Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy, Contract Employee Pleads Guilty in Scheme to Steal Vehicles from Pittsburgh Airports Hertz Car Rental and Transport Them to Nearby States, Duquesne Man Pleads Guilty to Escaping from Reentry Center, 25 Indicted For Drug Trafficking In Western PA and Beyond. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. TTY: (570) 341-2077. The 63 people arrested were charged with a variety of drug-related crimes. 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. During the bust in October 2020, they allegedly found more than 8 pounds of meth, which translates to about 700,000 [] Scranton, PA 18503, Telephone: (570) 348-2800 The organization based in Harrisburg has distributed large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and marijuana, according to District Attorney Fran Chardo. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentences imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal histories of the defendants. Dennis James Rauch is charged at counts six and seven with unlawful possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in and around March of 2020. Lock 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. To make that point, he cited the case of one defendant, 41-year-old Carlos Soto-Gonzalez, whose bail was set at $250,000. Forrest Gilmore, age 25, of New Castle, Pennsylvania; Melvin Dorsey-Pace, age 28, of New Castle, Pennsylvania; and. When police attempted to arrest him, the male ran. William J. Nealon Federal Building and Courthouse HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Nearly two years ago, on Jan. 17, 2020, eight Harrisburg residents were charged with running a drug trafficking ring from 2018 to the present day. Pittsburgh, PA 15219, 17 South Park Row, Room A330 These dealers are now out of business.. The case was unsealed following the arrests of Texido, Kuduk, Justin and Jose Laboy, and Cobaugh on November 5, 2020 and Valenzuela on November 25, 2020. 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