(WNY News Now) A cocaine trafficking network based in Philadelphia has been dismantled by law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, leading to 20 arrests, the seizure of 20 firearms, and the discovery of a vast amount of illegal drugs.
HARRISBURG — In the greater Philadelphia area, 20 alleged cocaine traffickers were charged by Attorney General Michelle Henry, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the New Jersey State Police. According to detectives, the traffickers utilized firearms to defend their extensive operation.
Earlier this month, authorities carried out dozens of search warrants, resulting in the seizure of 20 people, including Anthony Bang Blake, the suspected leader of the operation, and the discovery of 20 weapons, 12.5 pounds of cocaine, and other substances. With assistance from New Jersey officials, the search warrants were mainly executed in the Philadelphia region and New Jersey.
All are accused with conspiracy, felony possession with intent to deliver, and other charges, some of which include unlawful possession of guns.
Three more defendants have arrest warrants, and seventeen defendants have been arrested in the last few days.
Blake, 45, was charged with nine felonies, including drug and firearm offenses and corruption organizations. A bail of $500,000 was imposed.
All of the defendants charged were traffickers, with Mr. Blake supposedly at the top of the chain, therefore this arrest operation shut down a sizable network of dealers in Philadelphia, according to Attorney General Henry. Nearly two dozen drug traffickers are taken off the streets thanks to the excellent cooperation of law enforcement in this case. It is well known that the majority of drug traffickers employ firearms to secure their business.
Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, stated that the charges made public today send a strong message to drug trafficking groups that they are not welcome in Pennsylvania. This partnership shows a steadfast dedication to ridding our communities of your violence and corruption and to pursuing justice for the lives you ruin via addiction and demise.
Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, stated that these arrests demonstrate the police force’s steadfast dedication to stopping and dismantling narcotics trafficking networks. We send a strong and unwavering message through our unceasing cooperation with our partner agencies: drug trafficking networks have no place in our communities, and we will use every resource at our disposal to safeguard our inhabitants.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Delaware County Drug Task Force, and Montgomery County Detectives also provided assistance to the Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, and New Jersey State Police.
Blake, Tyrone Hayward, Shawn Sanford, Zamir Allen, Irvin Sanders, Clifford Nixon, Ramses Rodriguez, Anthony Brown, Monica Cleveland, Amber Tressler, Carlos Alvelo, Norberto Toldeo, Christopher Ramos, Jerime Jones, Jillian Carrington, and Kenneth McCall are all charged and taken into custody.
Arrest warrants are pending for Jonathan Cruz, Terrell Brice, and Khalil Rippy.
20 weapons, 12.5 pounds of cocaine, $72,356 in cash, amounts of fentanyl, MDMA, promethazine with codeine, marijuana, and paraphernalia were among the items that investigators found in the warrants.
The Drug Strike Force Section of the Office of Attorney General will pursue the case. Until and unless the defendants are found guilty, they are deemed innocent.