Authorities in Pennsylvania have busted a drug smuggling ring they say was being sold out of a storefront to look like a coffee shop.
On Friday, March 27, Operation Cocaine and Coffee resulted in the arrest of 17 people and the seizure of crack cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana, ecstasy pills, cash, 27 firearms, four kilograms of cocaine and 130 kilograms of marijuana.
According to investigators, Cumberland Coffee and Snacks in North Philadelphia was a fake business that served as a front for a street-level drug ring. The exact address was not provided by the authorities.
Many times, the “highest figures” in the Philadelphia crime world were part of the job, the Attorney General of Pennsylvania. Dave Sunday announced on Sunday, March 29.
The Pennsylvania State Police, the Philadelphia Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies were involved in the seizure of “ Louis Alexander Drug Trafficking Organization.”
Alexander, 56, was identified as the leader of the drug cartel and his bail was set at $750,000.
The 17 defendants “are facing various charges, including charges of organized crime, possession of firearms with intent to deliver, and possession of illegal firearms,” according to a press release on the operation. “Many were arrested after the trial.”
Charges were also filed Carl Gates, Kendall Wilsonn Gloria Alexander, Isaiah Washington-Trotty, Tyrone Scott, Marcus Clark, Isaiah Gallashaw, Cedric Carter, Paul Johnson, Eric Crawford, Corey Smith, Steven Birton, Tammika Billups, Domanick Pope, Calvin Gambrellagain Philip Smith.
A collage of mugshots from Operation Cocaine and Coffee
Pennsylvania State Attorney’s OfficeThe statement revealed that 16 of those arrested were shot in 30 locations when search warrants were issued, including in neighboring New Jersey. Police said the last suspect surrendered but failed to identify him.
“Today is a new day for the people of North Philadelphia, who have long been exposed to a group of criminals who do not hesitate to carry guns to protect their profitable trade – spreading poison,” Church said. “For many years, with our partners, we have been putting together cases against each of the defendants charged so if we take action, it will be the end of this case.”
A Pennsylvania man has been arrested after an informant on his behalf contacted police, revealing a murder-for-hire plot. Officers from the Upper Dublin Police Department first learned of the alleged plot when a man visited their office on Tuesday, February 10. He told police that Eric Berkowitz had asked. […]
Authorities said drug dealing has wreaked havoc on the community for more than a decade and is believed to be linked to violent crime.
Some of the accused are in their 50s, 60s and 70s, it said on Sunday.
The authorities said that the group has been a public nuisance for more than ten years.
“The criminal organization remains like a weed as families and homeowners move in and out of residences in the area,” Sunday said.
