HARRISBURG, PA — In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, Attorney General Michelle Henry, alongside the Pennsylvania and New Jersey State Police, announced charges this week against 20 individuals allegedly involved in a major cocaine trafficking operation in the greater Philadelphia area. This comprehensive enforcement action, targeting a network purportedly protected by firearms, involved the execution of dozens of search warrants earlier in the month.
Authorities seized 20 firearms, 12.5 pounds of cocaine, and other illicit substances, resulting in the arrest of 20 suspects, including Anthony “Bang” Blake, who is accused of leading the operation. The collaborative effort included support from law enforcement agencies in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The suspects are facing charges of felony possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy, and various firearms offenses. Seventeen individuals have been apprehended, while arrest warrants remain active for three others.
Blake, aged 45, has been arraigned on nine felony counts, including offenses related to corrupt organizations, drugs, and firearms, with bail set at $500,000. Attorney General Henry emphasized the significance of the operation, stating, “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.”
Colonel Christopher Paris of the Pennsylvania State Police highlighted the message this operation sends to drug traffickers, reiterating an unwavering commitment to eliminating corruption and violence from communities. Similarly, Colonel Patrick J. Callahan of the New Jersey State Police underscored the firm resolve of law enforcement to dismantle drug trafficking networks through strategic collaboration.
The enforcement operation also involved the Drug Enforcement Administration, Montgomery County Detectives, and the Delaware County Drug Task Force. Alongside Blake, those charged and arrested include 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. Khalil Rippy, Terrell Brice, and Jonathan Cruz are actively sought by authorities.
Search warrants yielded significant quantities of cocaine, cash totaling $72,356, fentanyl, MDMA, promethazine with codeine, marijuana, and paraphernalia. The prosecution of the case will be managed by the Office of Attorney General’s Drug Strike Force Section. It is essential to remember that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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