PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General has charged more than a dozen people in connection with a large-scale drug and gun operation in the Philadelphia area.
After a months-long investigation, the feds and state prosecutors arrested 17 people and took 15 guns off the street, as well as 15 pounds of cocaine, 33 pounds of marijuana, $65,630 in cash, and other narcotics.
The alleged leader of the trafficking ring, 60-year-old Vincent Lofton, has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 1985, including theft, drug and gun convictions, prosecutors said. Now, he faces drug, conspiracy and corrupt organization charges. He is being held on $1 million bail.
The other 16 people face similar charges.
The investigation included more than a dozen search warrants on homes as well as a financial institution.
The FBI assisted in the investigation, along with police departments in Montgomery County and Burlington County, New Jersey.
A status hearing for Lofton is scheduled for next week.