Four Philadelphia residents repeatedly traveled to Lackawanna County to deliver crack cocaine to a confidential informant, according to a criminal complaint.
Shaqulr Atkinson, Xiannl Stallings, Roger Branch and Quintin Adams face multiple felony counts, including conspiracy and intent to deliver a controlled substance.
On May 6, investigators from the Lackawanna County Drug Unit, Pennsylvania State Police Troop R Vice Unit and Scranton Police Department met with an informant who provided information about illegal activities involving a Philadelphia man involved in the distribution of illegal controlled substances, according to the criminal complaint.
After the informant arranged to meet the man at a designated location on Pittston Avenue to purchase cocaine, the informant was given confidential funds and equipped with a recording device, investigators said.
Investigators established surveillance nearby and watched a man exit his SUV, enter the informant’s car and then return to his own vehicle.
After the transaction, the informant provided police with crack cocaine consistent with the amount ordered and purchased.
On May 12, investigators again met with the informant, who completed a second controlled purchase near a business on Moosic Street.
Again, after the transaction, the informant provided investigators a quantity of crack cocaine consistent with the amount ordered and buy money provided to him.
Investigators reviewed video recordings obtained during the May 6 and May 12 controlled buys and conducted law enforcement database inquires. They identified the suspect involved in the illegal sale as Shaquir Atkinson, 33, of Philadelphia, according to the complaint.
On May 21, the informant again placed a call to Atkinson and arranged to purchase crack cocaine, again at a Pittston Avenue location.
Investigators spotted Atkinson arriving in an SUV, with Stallings in the passenger seat.
Stallings exited the vehicle, completed a drug transaction with the informant and returned to the SUV.
The informant turned over a quantity of crack cocaine to investigators, consistent with the agreed-upon amount and consistent with buy money provided to them.
On June 2, the informant placed a monitored, recorded call to Atkinson and agreed to purchase an amount of crack cocaine.
The informant met Atkinson at a South Main Avenue address, where Stallings again exited his vehicle and completed the purchase.
Again, the informant turned the cocaine over to investigators.
On June 12, the informant placed a call to Atkinson’s phone number to arrange a drug buy.
The informant traveled to a Myrtle Street address and was met by Atkinson’s SUV.
Authorities spotted Roger Branch exit the SUV, enter the informant’s vehicle and complete the drug transaction, which investigators captured on video.
Investigators then stopped the SUV, this time with Adams driving. When he was asked why he was driving, Adams provided inconsistent statements but later admitted he was paid to provide transportation.
“The investigation revealed that Atkinson coordinated narcotics transactions and directed customers to meeting locations while utilizing Stallings and Branch to conduct hand-to-hand deliveries of crack cocaine,” the complaint concluded. “Adams assisted by transporting participants involved in narcotics trafficking activities.”
Investigators determined the four were Philadelphia residents who traveled to Lackawanna County to distribute crack cocaine and other illegal drugs.
Stallings, Branch and Adams have preliminary hearings scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on July 23 before District Judge Kipp Adcock. They remain at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Atkinson is “awaiting preliminary hearing,” according to court records.