Federal officials gave an update Friday afternoon on a large-scale drug investigation that included raids in Indiana and Westmoreland Counties.
The years-long investigation that lead to yesterday’s sweep known as “Operation Lake Effect” took down an operation that was trafficking fenanyl, heroin, meth and cocaine from Arizona to Ohio and Pennsylvania, including Indiana County. Raids were conducted at multiple locations on Thursday, targeting members of the network and resulting in federal charges being filed against 57 individuals in Western PA and eight by the Western District of Washington State. An additional 25 defendants from Indiana and Westmoreland Counties were charged at the state level. Investigators were able to seize over 673 pounds of fentanyl-laced fake prescrition pills (over 2 million pills worth), over 400 pounds of meth, over 16 pounds each of fentanyl powder and cocaine along with $600,000 in cash, nine vehicles and 47 firearms.
Indiana Borough Police Chief Justin Schawl and Indiana county District Attorney Robert Manzi join Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti at Friday’s news conference. Picture provided by Robert Manzi
At a news conference at the U.S. Attorney’s office in Pittsburgh, FBI Special Agent in Charge Mike Norwald called it a great example of cooperation between federal, state and local authorities.
Among those indicted from Indiana County are:
41-year-old Michael Brown of Indiana
38-year-old Misti Durante of Indiana
34-year-old Melissa Frain of Indiana
38-Year-old Frank Gardner of Indiana
40-year-old Lamar Johnson of Indiana
41-year-old Kareem Middlebrook of Creekside
52-year-old Cathie Payson of Indiana
Indiana County’s District Attorney’s Office, Indiana Borough and State Police assisted in the investigation.
Comments