PITTSBURGH (100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA) Charges have been filed against three Western Pennsylvania men after an investigation into drug trafficking in Allegheny County.
In a release from Attorney General Josh Shapiro, the three are being charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, corrupt organization, and other related charges.
41-year-old William Ely of Wilkinsburg was arrested as the ringleader and also charged with illegal possession of a firearm.
Ely is being charged alongside two mid-level dealers, Jaylon Brock and Tony Burnsworth.
The three are accused to intending to traffic mass amounts of fentanyl into the community after the investigation opened in May of 2021.
Searches were conducted in July of 2021 where investigators found 80 grams of fentanyl laced heroin, 769 grams of cocaine, a press for bulk packaging, $134,815 in cash, and a pair of firearms.
Two other locations were searched were a total of 291.2 grams of fentanyl, 19.1 grams of cocaine, and $10,600 in cash were found.
“14 Pennsylvanians die from opioids every day, and we will not sit idly by when dealers peddle poisons and try to profit from devastating our communities,” said Attorney General Shapiro. “With two guns recovered from these searches, including an automatic assault rifle, this is a firm reminder that drug trafficking is a violent enterprise. My office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to hold those accountable who profit from drug trafficking.”
Through the investigation, agents learned that Ely was supplying around 150 bricks of heroin laced with fentanyl for Brock and Burnsworth to sell on the streets.
Brock allegedly remained in the Pittsburgh area while Burnsworth regularly transported to Somerset County.