More than two dozen suspects charged in Erie drug and gun trafficking

ERIE, Pa. (WJET/WFXP) — Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies announced Thursday one of the largest criminal arrests in Erie history.

This follows several raids in Erie and western Pennsylvania, in which 22 people were arrested. Another five people are still being sought.

More than two dozen people from the Erie area have been charged with drug and firearms-related charges as part of an investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).

According to FBI officials in Pittsburgh, 27 people have been federally charged for their alleged roles in drug trafficking and weapons violations in the region, 22 of whom are from the city of Erie.

Officials allege the suspects in these cases formed a network of overlapping regional drug dealers based in Erie.

In total, they are said to have distributed more than two kilos of cocaine, twelve kilos of methamphetamine, two kilos of fentanyl powder and more than 20,000 fentanyl pills.

Investigators with the Erie Area Gang Law Enforcement (EAGLE) task force allege hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of narcotics are involved.

“These cases are not about the number of people charged. They are about making a difference in the lives of everyday people who just want to walk down the street or go to a playground without fear of encountering violent, armed drug traffickers,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan, Western District of Pennsylvania.

In addition to the drug charges, there are also devices known as “switches” in the region, some of which have been taken off the streets in these arrests.

These “switches” are attached to semi-automatic weapons, making them fully automatic and even more dangerous.

Olshan said they believe another drug network will emerge to fill the void in the area after these arrests. But he said they are already working to stop these people before they become entrenched in the community.

We are told that many of these drugs were linked to the Mexican drug cartel and ended up in Erie and the United States via checked baggage.

“The cartels are using different technological methods. We can’t really talk about it, but we’re trying to stay ahead of this and develop techniques to stop them when they cross the border,” said Christopher Giordano, assistant special agent with the FBI.

At this time, the five men below are still at large and detectives are looking for them.

Raids have been conducted over the past four months, with most occurring on Wednesday at 6 a.m. This is the third large-scale arrest in the Erie area in as many years.

“But our work doesn’t stop with yesterday’s results. Today we begin new investigations. We begin anew the fight to bring justice to these individuals who spread this poison and violence in this community and communities throughout Western Pennsylvania,” Giordano added.

“Our resolve is stronger than theirs. Our office and our law enforcement partners standing here with us today have worked on the streets to keep our communities safe, free from drug and gun violence, and are steadfast in our shared commitment to identify and prosecute those who endanger the public,” Olshan said.

The full list of alleged suspects can be viewed below. Charges are legal accusations, all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.