By Steve Pope | September 27, 2018
State drug agents working alongside local police seized drugs with a street value of over $600,000, weapons and over $100,000 in cash during a seven month investigation in Westmoreland County.
Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced during a press conference Thursday, that agents with his office’s Strategic Response Team seized more than 54 pounds of heroin, fentanyl and other drugs that have an estimated street value of over $600,000, during the investigation.
Authorities seized 13 illegal firearms, $113,000 in cash from suspected drug dealers and made 89 arrests during the period, which ran from March to Sept. 11.
In August a similar Team working in Northeastern Pennsylvania, seized 44 pounds of heroin, fentanyl and other drugs worth $535,000 over a five-month period.
“Public health and safety crises like gun violence and the opioid epidemic require smart, strategic, and collaborative action by law enforcement,” Attorney General Shapiro said. “Our Strategic Response Team is a great example of that approach. ”
Robert Deringer, New Kensington Police Chief added, “This was a very successful drug seizure that has impacted the City of New Kensington in a positive way. This is a strong example of what collaboration in law enforcement should look like,” said Robert Deringer, New Kensington Police Chief. “
Steve Pope can be contacted at steve.pope@grantstreetnews.com
