12 people charged after statewide drug trafficking ring bust in Pennsylvania
NORTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
A dozen people each face criminal charges in connection with a statewide drug trafficking operation. The group allegedly sold thousands of illegal products that were highly potent with marijuana, THC and Delta, and profited over $18 million.
On Monday, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday detailed the investigation that lasted between two to three years.
“This was a massive, illegal drug trafficking operation that put profits over the protection of people, and most importantly, targeted our children,” Sunday said. “I’m fully aware that some may look at this and say, ‘What’s the big deal? It’s just marijuana.’ That couldn’t be further from reality.”
The people charged are listed below:
Albina Kumar Duttkumar Patel Dharmeshkumar Patel Madhav Patel Nirav Patel Palak Patel Divyesh Patel Ketankumar Patel Niravkumar Vora Roshniben Patel Ankitkumar Patel Mitul Patel
Officials wouldn’t confirm if the suspects are or are not related. A few of them have bonded out but are due back in court on Sept. 23.
“They are charged with corrupt organizations and dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activities,” Sunday said. “Money laundering as well. They went to great lengths to conceal the sources of the millions of dollars they profited from. They transferred that money from bank to bank using various LLCs as fronts.”
Sunday said reports of Westmoreland County school children taking these products ramped up the state’s efforts.
“Kids were found to have these types of products in their schools,” Sunday said. “In one instance, a babysitter bought what she thought was a sweet treat for the child she was watching. The child ate it and later became unresponsive and rushed to the hospital. It was determined to be THC poisoning.”
The tipping point was pulling over one of the accused traffickers.
“The driver of that vehicle, who is charged, was hauling loads of THC products to these stores,” Sunday said.
That led officials to find nearly 150,000 items in warehouses in Bucks, Luzerne and Allegheny County. The Allegheny warehouse was found in Plum.
WTAE
Items seized from warehouses
The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office was one of many law enforcement agencies that seized illegal products from local vape shops and gas stations.
“So far, over 90% of the materials tested have been found to be an illegal substance,” Sunday said. “Products today often contain anywhere from 29-31% THC.”
“That was the first warning,” Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said. “A first warning to say, in Westmoreland County, we adhere to the law. We are coming after what you are doing to our children and how you are poisoning our youth. Investigations take time, but we are onto you and we are coming.”
