Authorities in Pennsylvania have decimated a drug trafficking ring they claim was being run out of a storefront set up to look like a coffee shop.
On Friday, March 27, Operation Cocaine and Coffee led to the arrests of 17 individuals and the seizure of crack cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana, ecstasy pills, cash, 27 firearms, four pounds of pure cocaine and 130 pounds of marijuana.
According to investigators, the Cumberland Coffee and Snacks in North Philadelphia was a faux business that acted as a cover for a street-level drug ring. The exact address was not provided by authorities.
Several longtime, “senior figures” in the Philadelphia criminal world were part of the operation, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Sunday, March 29.
The Pennsylvania State Police, Philadelphia Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies were involved in the takedown of “the Louis Alexander Drug Trafficking Organization.”
Alexander, 56, was identified as the drug ring’s leader and his bail has been set at a whopping $750,000.
The 17 defendants “face a variety of charges, including felony counts of corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver, and illegal possession of firearms,” according to a press release on the operation. “Many are incarcerated following arraignments.”
Also charged were Carl Gates, Kendal Wilson, Gloria Alexander, Isaiah Washington-Trotty, Tyrone Scott, Marcus Clark, Isaiah Gallashaw, Cedric Carter, Paul Johnson, Eric Crawford, Corey Smith, Steven Birton, Tammika Billups, Domanick Pope, Calvin Gambrell, and Philip Smith.
The statement said that 16 of the codefendants were busted in 30 locations during the execution of search warrants, including in neighboring New Jersey. Police said the last suspect turned themselves in but failed to specify who that was.
“Today marks a new day for North Philadelphians who were, for far too long, exposed to a group of criminals who did not hesitate to carry firearms to protect their lucrative trade — distributing poisons,” Sunday said. “For years, with our partners, we assembled cases against each and every charged defendant so when we took action, it would be the end of this criminal enterprise.”
Authorities said the drug peddling posse plagued the community with “absolute harm” for more than a decade and is believed to have ties to violent crime.
Some of the defendants are in their 50s, 60s and 70s, Sunday noted.
Authorities said the group had been a blight on the community for more than a decade.
“The criminal organization has remained like weeds as families and homeowners have moved in and out of residences in the area,” Sunday said.
