Authorities from the federal and state levels have announced that they have dismantled a cocaine trafficking operation based in Philadelphia. They have confiscated drugs, firearms, and money as part of the operation.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry and the FBI said that they have arrested 17 people who are believed to be involved in drug trafficking. The investigation took several months. On Tuesday, investigators carried out searches and arrests in Philadelphia and the nearby areas.
Authorities have reported that Vincent Lofton, 60, who is believed to be one of the leaders of the trafficking network, has been arrested. Additionally, 16 other individuals were also arrested at different locations. Lofton appeared in court on Wednesday and was given a bail amount of $1 million. Authorities say that investigators executed search warrants at over a dozen homes, as well as warrants on vehicles and a financial institution.
The other individuals who have been charged are Jose Escobedo, Tamika Leggett, Haneefah Gladden, Charressa Hopkins, Shanice Lofton, Kiyon Dennis, Bruce Rozier, Shawn Grady, Victor Christmas, Robert Nelson, Phillip Jackson, Nymir Brown, Steven Pittman, Dante Primo, Philip Curtis, and Anthony Jones.
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The police confiscated 10 handguns, 5 long guns, almost 10 pounds of powder and crack cocaine, 33 pounds of marijuana, other drugs, drug-related items, substances used for cutting drugs, and $65,630 in cash.
“Working together and communicating effectively, law enforcement successfully stopped a highly organized trafficking operation that regularly brought large amounts of drugs into the Commonwealth,” Henry said. “We are aware of the severe damage caused by these addictive substances, as well as the immediate dangers posed to communities by traffickers who use guns to safeguard their illegal activities.” Law enforcement is more effective when working together with other agencies that are dedicated to protecting the people of Pennsylvania and their families.
The state and federal authorities received help from various law enforcement partners, including the Philadelphia Police Department, Philadelphia Sheriff’s Department, Radnor Township Police Department, Borough of Hatboro Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, Burlington County (N.J.) Prosecutor’s Office, and Pennsylvania State Police.
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