More than a dozen people indicted as part of a crackdown involving the FBI and multiple law enforcement agencies.
It's called Operation Steel Reaper, as federal, state and local agencies rounded up the suspects, accused of providing drugs to rival street gangs, fueling chaos and crime, primarily in the Hill District.
Taken into custody, the alleged upper level dealers, 8 firearms, four kilos of cocaine, suspected heroin, fentanyl and MDNA.
Pittsburgh Police Chief Jason Lando said “what started as a local investigation quickly revealed a broader, criminal enterprise, requiring a combined expertise and resources of our Federal and local law enforcement partners."
The FBI’s Rick Evanchec has a warning for anyone looking to take advantage of the arrest.
“To anyone who believes they’ll fill the void left by those arrested today know that this law enforcement community will come for you next,” said Evanchec.
The lead defendant in the case, 48-year-old DeConta Harrison alone is accused of distributing 280 grams of crack to the gangs between last November and this month.
