The leader of the organization, Hector Flores, aka "Pito," along with 50 other individuals are charged with 226 counts of selling narcotics in Onondaga, Oswego, Oneida, Cortland, Westchester, New York, and Bronx counties. The sheriff's. The Investigations Bureau and OCTF are both part of the Division for Criminal Justice. Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Ten people were arrested Thursday as the result of a several-month investigation into drug trafficking in Westmoreland County, authorities said. Officers executed search warrants on two homes and seized the. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The investigators found the three kilos of cocaine along with $31,000 in cash. Mar 8, 2016; Early data suggests pedestrian deaths surged in 2015. It's the third one in recent . Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service, Solvay Police Department, Village of North Syracuse Police Department, Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania State Police, and the U.S. If you were a previous ONLINE ONLY subscriber, you should have received an email with directions on how to log in. Balderson said money, drugs and related paraphernalia were seized during the arrests. Mar 8, 2016; As Onondaga County continues to see a rise in opioid related overdoses and deaths, we must and will continue to work together to dedicate the necessary resources to help those battling addiction, while bringing to justice those who peddle these dangerous substances., The challenges we face with crime dont follow municipal boundaries. Crash in Mount Pleasant Township Read moreFebruary 27, 2023, Punxsutawney man charged with DUI Read moreFebruary 24, 2023, DUI reported in Derry Township Read moreFebruary 23, 2023, PSP: Irwin man slaps woman Read moreFebruary 22, 2023, Drugs found during traffic stop Read moreFebruary 21, 2023, Public drunkenness reported in Hempfield Twp. As Syracuse continues to experience record high levels of violence, today, we make good on our commitment to protecting our communities by taking these dangerousgunsand drugs off our streets. WESTMORELAND COUNTY (KDKA) -- Criminal charges have been filed against dozens of people for allegedly distributing or possessing drugs in Western . Balderson said county detectives and the Tri-County Drug Task Force have been investigating drug activity throughout the county for about seven months. Balderson said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are pending. We remain committed to working side-by-side with our partners to make our streets safer.. Melvin Payne was taken into custody at the store in Belle Vernon. MICHAEL ELIAS VENTURA MONTANO, 28 years old, KONSTANTINOS VOULTSIOS, 29 years old, Onondaga County, AMBER WATKINS, 25 years old, Onondaga County, FRANK WRIGHT, 42 years old, Onondaga County, PETER WYSOCKI, 27 years old, Oswego County. Read moreDecember 22, 2022, Suspicion of DUI investigated Read moreDecember 21, 2022, Gift card scam in Hempfield Township Read moreDecember 20, 2022, Police: Man locks himself in bathroom Read moreDecember 19, 2022, Drug charges filed Read moreDecember 15, 2022, Hit-and-run reported in Hempfield Twp. Select a Language Below/Seleccione el Idioma Abajo. The third indictment involves Robert Miguel Lopez and Michael Elias Ventura-Montano. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. We will ensure that those responsible for endangering our communities are held accountable. Later with a search warrant in hand back to the Fairfield Inn, police went to the room of 27-year-Jah Zhanee Sutton of Pittsburgh. Posted: Jul 7, 2021 / 04:07 PM . The Westmoreland County Drug Task Force made a major drug bust that resulted in two arrests in Lower Burrell on May 13. Investigators seized three kilograms of cocaine, $36,000 in cash, and a loaded .40 caliber Sig Sauer handgun from Guzman. Township police worked with a confidential informant to arrange a buy from Bavin just before 1 p.m. near a set of storage units off Route 30, according to court papers. At the end of the legislative session, my colleagues and I passed bills that will make it easier for law enforcement to track down and remove illegal firearms. by Will Folks August 4, 2021 0. The Tri-County Drug Task Force conducted the operation, Balderson said. Speaking at a press conference in Syracuse, she stated that this move is one of many in an effort to combat crime and violence in Syracuse. NEW YORK New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the indictment of 78 individuals charged with 355 crimes for their roles in two major drug distribution networks that were based in Central New York and transported cocaine throughout New York state. The State of New York, its officers, employees, and/or agents shall not be liable for damages or losses of any kind arising out of, or in connection with, the use or performance of such information, including but not limited to, damages or losses caused by reliance upon the accuracy of any such information, or damages incurred from the viewing, distributing, or copying of such materials. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. We will ensure that those responsible for endangering our communities are held accountable. You will need an account and a subscription to see the site in its entirety. 69-year-old suffers stroke in his N.C. home; Realtor showing house leaves him there. MICHAEL ELIAS VENTURA MONTANO, 28 years old, KONSTANTINOS VOULTSIOS, 29 years old, Onondaga County, AMBER WATKINS, 25 years old, Onondaga County, FRANK WRIGHT, 42 years old, Onondaga County, PETER WYSOCKI, 27 years old, Oswego County. WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. Two people who fled to California after a drug search in Westmoreland County have been arrested and extradited back to the state. He was released from custody in February, according to prison records. You can contact Renatta by email at rsignorini@triblive.com or via Twitter . Police said they arrested Bavin with the $500. Marshals Service. A Spotsylvania man found dead following a single-vehicle crash early Monday may have suffered a medical emergency prior to the crash, police said. Sutton was taken into custody and charged with multiple illegal drug counts. This is of paramount importance to my office and the safety and security of our communities. saidNicole Ziccarelli, Westmoreland County District Attorney. The task force includes narcotics detectives from Westmoreland, King George, Caroline, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Virginia State Police. Success! . Also, $490,000 in cash, 15 firearms and nine ghost guns were confiscated. Keeping our community safe from the perils of drugs, guns, and violence continues to be a top priority of my administration. Westmoreland Sheriff C.O. The fourth indictment involves Jesus Manuel Ruiz Lopez and Carlos Guzman. Read moreFebruary 1, 2023, Personal checks stolen, cashed Read moreJanuary 27, 2023, Charges filed for criminal trespass Read moreJanuary 25, 2023, Greensburg man injured in crash Read moreJanuary 20, 2023, Two-vehicle crash in Unity Township Read moreJanuary 19, 2023, Two-vehicle crash in Unity Township Read moreJanuary 17, 2023, Hit-and-run in Salem Township Read moreJanuary 16, 2023, Car stolen in New Stanton Read moreJanuary 13, 2022, PSP: Derry man damages vehicle Read moreJanuary 12, 2023, PSP investigates DUI Read moreJanuary 9, 2023, ChildLine report filed Read moreJanuary 6, 2023, PSP investigating theft Read moreJanuary 5, 2023, PSP reports search for runaway Read moreJanuary 3, 2023, Four-vehicle crash in Adamsburg Read moreDecember 30, 2022, Hit-and-run in Bell Township Read moreDecember 27, 2022, Two-vehicle crash in Hempfield Twp. Former NFL star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years, Man gets 10 years in child sex abuse case in Stafford, 55 library books have been challenged in Spotsylvania schools since last year, On 'emotional' day, female wrestlers finally get to compete for their own Virginia state title, Spotsylvania man to serve nearly 5 years in molestation case, Millions at Risk of Slipping Into Poverty as COVID-Era SNAP Benefits Set to End, More than 300 words have been added to the English dictionary, Citizens travel to Peru's capitol Lima to protest against Boluarte, Russia accuses U.S. of intent to use chemical weapons in Ukraine. "As Syracuse continues to experience record-high levels of violence, today, we make good on our commitment to protecting our communities by taking these dangerous guns and drugs off our streets. 1 min read. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. MONESSEN (KDKA) -- Two men are facing charges after police made a drug bust during a traffic stop in Westmoreland County. The Westmoreland County Drug Task Force made a major drug bust that resulted in two arrests in Lower Burrell on May 13, 2022. Pleasant Twp. I thank Attorney General Letitia James, her office, and the law enforcement agencies on their success in confiscating these illegal drugs., Getting illegal guns off the street and cracking down on drug trafficking is a critical component of efforts to curb gun violence and crime in our community, saidState Assemblymember AlStirpe. Police say money, drugs and related paraphernalia were seized during the arrests. Charged with various drug-related offenses are: Michael W. Bailey, 34, Ryan M. Cain, 26, Brianna M. Church, 22, and William O. Coleman, 34, all of Colonial Beach; Robert M. Beale, 63, and William C. Gant, 52, both of Coles Point; and Luis Salcedo Chavez, 45, of Oak Grove. According to investigators, the bust went down in a parking lot and lead to an arrest at a nearby hotel. Jessica N. Hahn, 37, is charged with distributing N-ethylpentylone and Manana C. Morton, 24, of Colonial Beach is charged with obstructing justice. I thank our law enforcement partners for their support in seeing this through., The dedication of law enforcement has resulted in the take down of not one, but two cocaine distribution rings supplying deadly drugs into Central New York, saidState Police Superintendent KevinBruen. You have permission to edit this article. As Onondaga County continues to see a rise in opioid related overdoses and deaths, we must and will continue to work together to dedicate the necessary resources to help those battling addiction, while bringing to justice those who peddle these dangerous substances.. Low 49F. Seven people have been arrested in connection with a several-month investigation into drug dealing in Westmoreland County, police said. Read moreNovember 23, 2022, Domestic dispute in Ligonier Twp. June 18, 2015 / 7:08 PM / CBS Pittsburgh. The task force includes members of the Westmoreland, Caroline and King George sheriffs offices, the Naval Criminal Investigative Services and the Virginia State Police. He was arraigned Tuesday and District Judge Wayne Gongaware deemed him a danger to the public in denying bail, according to online court records. 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved, 'Westmoreland Night of Stars' gets an encore with new producers, Bushy Run reenactment debate headed to Harrisburg, Couple faces charges in connection with burglary in Unity, Thiel announces candidacy for Ligonier district judge, $5K worth of THC cartridges stolen from Hempfield man, police say, Vento's Pizza, home of 'Franco's Italian Army,' to close, Heinz offers to buy boat for sailor who survived on ketchup while lost at sea, Pa. Chick-fil-A bans customers under 16 from dining in restaurant without adults, Review: Michael B. Jordan delivers a brawler in Creed III, Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. "When she opened the door, in plain sight was contraband indicative of drug activity," Limani said. Please subscribe to keep reading. Ventura-Montano took the cocaine from New York to Syracuse and was stopped by investigators. The Office of Attorney General's website is provided in English. 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He was sentenced to five to 15 years in a state prison followed by four years of probation on drug charges filed by Pittsburgh police. 1 03/24/2021 Court of Common Pleas - Westmoreland County Original Papers Received from Lower Court Balderson said police also have warrants for five other people who had not been apprehended as of Thursday. The four separate indictments which were unsealed today contain 355 counts and charge 78 individuals with crimes in relation to their involvement in the narcotics trafficking operation, including Operating as a Major Trafficker (class A-I felony), CriminalSale and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (class A, B, and C felonies), and Conspiracy to Commit those Crimes (class B felony). I thank our law enforcement partners for their support in seeing this through.". 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. A copy of this disclaimer can also be found on our Disclaimer page. In total, the seizures have an estimated street value of up to $2 million. There was a problem saving your notification. There was an error processing your request. Neither suspect had an attorney listed in online court records. NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL. I am a veteran reporter who has covered a number of different areas but my primary focus is police and courts coverage. 185grams ofpsilocybin mushrooms (valued at $7,400); 1 poundof marijuana (valued at $2,500); and, 1.7 pounds of THC wax (valued at $38,000). Probation officers are seeking to revoke Buchinskys participation in a probationary program in a 2018 drunken-driving case in Westmoreland County. Read moreNovember 9, 2022. Today's takedown marks the latest major drug bust in the OAG's Suburban and Upstate Response to the Growing Epidemic (SURGE) Initiative, a law enforcement effort that brings together state and local law enforcement to target New York's growing and often violent heroin, opioid, and narcotics trafficking networks. Two men are behind bars after a weekend drug bust at a Loyalhanna home. Contraband seized (guns )to be forfeited to and destroyed by Westmoreland County Sheriff's Dept at the end of the applicable appeal period . NEW STANTON, Pa. (KDKA) -- A drug bust in New Stanton turned up more than $1 million worth of cocaine and heroin, according to police. The first indictment involves the "Pupello Group." Myers is in the Westmoreland County Jail on $20,000 bond with 10% acceptable. Error! Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. After getting a search warrant, police said they found 24 stamp bags of heroin, marijuana, a shotgun and numerous paraphernalia items, including a scale, empty stamp bags and other plastic bags, according to court papers. A Spotsylvania County woman accused of starving her infant son to death in 2021 was denied bond Wednesday. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Would you like to receive our daily news? WPXI - Lower Burrell Drug Bust The Westmoreland County Drug Task Force made a major drug bust that resulted in two arrests in Lower Burrell on May 13, 2022. He was detained and questioned and with the help of a K-9, troopers found the alleged contraband. Google Translate cannot translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. "Thank you @NewYorkStateAG for your leadership, and thanks to @SyracusePolice and all our partner law enforcement agencies for your excellent police work. 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