A man from Louisiana charged as part of a sweep of mid-level drug dealers in Indiana and Westmoreland Counties is now in custody.
Ten people were charged as part of what was dubbed “Operation Grinch” by state troopers which was initiated on December 21st. Nine of the people were from Pennsylvania, but the final person to remain at large, 31-year-old Joshua Adam Gates of Downsville, Louisiana, was one of a few that were not apprehended. On Friday, state police reported that Gates was apprehended in Louisiana, and is awaiting extradition back to Pennsylvania to answer to charges of delivery and possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communications facility.
Eight others were arrested as part of the roundup of drug dealers. A tenth person, 43-year-old Edward Russian of Saltsburg, was reported to have passed away.
No word yet on when Gates will have his preliminary hearing.
