Law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania and New Jersey have busted a Philadelphia-based cocaine trafficking ring, resulting in 20 arrests, the seizure of 20 firearms, and the discovery of a cache of illegal drugs.
Harrisburg — Attorney General Michelle Henry, along with the Pennsylvania State Police and the New Jersey State Police, announced charges against 20 alleged cocaine traffickers who investigators say used firearms to protect their “large-scale” trafficking operation in the Philadelphia area.
Earlier this month, officials executed dozens of search warrants, resulting in the discovery of 20 firearms, 12.5 pounds of cocaine, and other drugs, and the arrest of 20 people, including Anthony “Bang” Blake, the alleged head of the operation.
Officials from New Jersey primarily assisted in serving the search warrants in Philadelphia and New Jersey.
All defendants are facing felony charges of possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy, and other related offenses, including possession of illegal firearms for some of them.
Recent days have seen the arrest of seventeen defendants, and there are still three pending warrants.
Blake, 45, was charged with nine felonies, including corrupt organizations and drug and firearms offenses, and bail was set at $500,000.
“With Mr. Blake allegedly at the top of the chain, all of the charged defendants were traffickers, so this arrest operation put a stop to a large network of dealers in Philadelphia,” said Henry, the attorney general.
It is well known that most drug traffickers use firearms to protect their trade, and the great collaboration between law enforcement in this case removes nearly two dozen traffickers from the streets.”
“The charges announced today send a clear message to drug trafficking organizations that you are not welcome in Pennsylvania,” said Colonel Christopher Paris, the Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner.
This collaboration demonstrates an unwavering commitment to purge our communities of your corruption and violence and seek justice for the lives you destroy through addiction and death.”
“These arrests underscore the unwavering commitment of law enforcement to combat and dismantle drug trafficking operations,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.
Through tireless collaboration with our partner agencies, we deliver a clear and resolute message: drug trafficking networks have no place in our communities, and we will leverage every resource available to protect our citizens and ensure their safety.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Montgomery County Detectives, and Delaware County Drug Task Force all provided assistance to the Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, and New Jersey State Police.
Blake, Kenneth McCall, Tyrone Hayward, Shawn Sanford, Zamir Allen, Irvin Sanders, Clifford Nixon, Ramses Rodriguez, Anthony Brown, Monica Cleveland, Amber Tressler, Carlos Alvelo, Norberto Toldeo, Christopher Ramos, Jerime Jones, and Jillian Carrington have all been charged and arrested.
Khalil Rippy, Terrell Brice, and Jonathan Cruz all have active arrest warrants.
The warrants resulted in the seizure of 20 firearms, 12.5 pounds of cocaine, $72,356 in cash, fentanyl, MDMA, promethazine with codeine, and marijuana, as well as paraphernalia.
The Attorney General’s Drug Strike Force Section will prosecute the case. We presume the defendants innocent until proven guilty.
