Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said his office, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, has “eradicated” a group that prepared and sold drugs out of a North Philadelphia corner store.

Authorities in recent days arrested and charged 17 alleged members of the gang, which they say trafficked narcotics — primarily cocaine and crack — for years in the area of 18th and Cumberland streets. Louis Alexander, 56, is accused of being the group’s leader and was among those apprehended.

The AG’s Office named the probe “Operation Cocaine and Coffee” because they believe the organization cooked cocaine and sold it out of a business called “Cumberland Coffee & Snacks.” Sunday said the storefront, at Cumberland and Cleveland streets, “was essentially a front utilized by Louis Alexander and his crew.”

“We were out there the day the warrants were searched,” Senior Deputy Attorney Michael Barry told reporters at a news conference Wednesday. “There was no coffee pots at the coffee shop.”

Cumberland Coffee & Snacks was one of 30 properties raided last week, authorities said. Much of the activity was in the immediate neighborhood, including searches at a nearby bar and barbershop, though warrants were also served in Delaware County and Gloucester County, New Jersey, according to the AG’s Office.

Police confiscated 27 guns, about 4 pounds of cocaine and more than 130 pounds of marijuana at the various locations, law enforcement officials said. Sunday said his office is looking into whether any of the firearms can be connected to any shootings or other crimes.

He noted that many of those charged in the bust are older than those typically associated with Philadelphia gangs.

“Some of the defendants here are in their 50s, 60s and 70s,” Sunday added. “Many of these defendants have been at this a very long time.”

Barry said detectives have been investigating the Cumberland Street crew for “over a decade.” 

Alexander has been charged with drug offenses, corrupt organizations, conspiracy and other crimes. His bail was set at 10% of $750,000. No defense attorney was listed on court documents Wednesday. 

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