Fifteen individuals from Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio have been indicted on federal narcotics charges following a Homeland Security Task Force investigation, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced on May 18 during a press conference at Erie City Hall.
The indictments are the result of an effort to address drug trafficking networks in northwestern Pennsylvania. Thirteen defendants are charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, while two others face charges related to distributing cocaine. The maximum penalties for these offenses range from 20 years to life imprisonment, depending on the amount and type of drugs involved as well as prior criminal history.
“This prosecution is another important example of our office’s commitment to safeguard the people of northwestern Pennsylvania from the scourge of fentanyl and cocaine and—working with our law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local levels—to bring to justice those responsible for endangering our families, friends, and neighbors,” said United States Attorney Rivetti.
“Drug trafficking networks breed violence, organized criminal activity, addiction, and exploitation,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Richard Evanchec. “Illicit operations like this poison communities surrounding Lake Erie far beyond the individuals purchasing the drugs. To those who think they can ship dangerous drugs into the heart of our community, no matter how sophisticated the operation, the FBI and our partners will pursue you across time zones and international borders to protect the American people.”
“These indictments demonstrate the impact of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative and our unwavering commitment to dismantling the drug trafficking networks that push fentanyl and cocaine into Erie and communities across northwestern Pennsylvania,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Nathan Abel of Homeland Security Investigations Philadelphia. “HSI, working alongside the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Pennsylvania State Police, the FBI, and our federal, state, and local partners will continue to use every lawful tool at our disposal to identify, investigate,and dismantle transnational criminal organizations that profit from addictionand threaten thesafetyofour neighborhoods.”
Accordingto Capt.Nicholas A.CortesofPennsylvania State Police,“The successful outcomeofthisinvestigation demonstrates theeffectivenessofcoordinated enforcement efforts amongourfederal,state,andlocallawenforcementpartners.Bydismantlingthisdrugtraffickingorganization,investigatorshavedisruptedthedistributionofdangerdousdrugsandenhancedpublicsafetythroughouttheEriecommunity.”
Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers is prosecuting this case on behalf ofthe government.An indictmentisan accusation.A defendantispresumedinnocentunlessanduntilprovenguilty.
