26 arrests, including local, in task force investigation

ERIE, Pa. (WKBN) — An investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) has resulted in charges against a total of 26 suspects on nine separate but related charges alleging violations of federal drug and firearms laws.

U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced the charges Thursday in a Justice Department news release after the indictments were made public on Wednesday.

The charges allege a network of overlapping regional drug dealers based in Erie,
Pennsylvania. Charges involve trafficking multi-kilogram quantities of fentanyl powder and pills, as well as significant amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine.

During the lengthy wiretap investigation, several firearms were seized from drug dealers who were prohibited from carrying weapons or who had the weapons in their possession to further their drug trafficking, the Justice Department said.

Investigators also seized multiple Glock conversion devices, commonly referred to as “Glock switches,” which are designed to convert a Glock semi-automatic pistol into an automatic machine gun, the department said.

The charges include:

• On September 10, an indictment was filed containing eleven counts, accusing 14 suspects of
  obtaining and redistributing fentanyl and methamphetamine in and around Erie County and other areas of the Western District of Pennsylvania.
• On September 10, a two-count indictment was filed, accusing four suspects of
  conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute varying amounts of fentanyl
  and methamphetamine.
• On September 10, a single-count indictment was filed, accusing two suspects of
  conspiring to distribute and possess a quantity of a mixture with intent to do so, and
  substance containing cocaine.
• Six additional charges against one suspect for one to three drug offenses,
  firearms or both. These charges were filed between July 30 and September 10.

Darrian Brooks, 35, of Farrell was named as a suspect on the following charges:

1. Possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. Maximum penalty: life imprisonment.
2. Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Maximum penalty: 15 years imprisonment.
3. Unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offence. Maximum penalty: Life imprisonment.

The majority of the 26 suspects are from Erie.

OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the U.S.