October 9, 2007

Attorney General Corbett announces arrest of up to 14 cocaine traffickers as part of "Operation Bloodhound"

ALLENTOWN -Up to 14 suspected drug dealers, some with ties to the New York City "Bloods" gang, were arrested today by the Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation (BNI) on charges of running a multi-million dollar cocaine trafficking ring in and around the Lehigh Valley.

Attorney General Tom Corbett said that the investigation, known as "Operation Bloodhound" began in November 2006 and focused on the selling and local drug trafficking network of Shelton Brown, 27, 336 S. 9th St., Allentown. 

Agents estimate that the organization was responsible for the sale of more than $5 million of cocaine in the Lehigh Valley over the past year.

Corbett said that through the use of Brown's drug network, undercover agents were able to use confidential informants to make a series of controlled purchases of cocaine.

According to the criminal complaint, undercover officers purchased more than 400 grams of cocaine on six separate occasions with an estimated street value of $40,000.  Each of the controlled buys were made at the VIP Barber Shop in Allentown. 

Agents estimate that Brown sold three or more kilos of cocaine per week and identified his main supplier of cocaine as Thomas Woods. Woods allegedly sold an average of 10 kilos of cocaine per week and on one occasion sold as much as 22 kilos of cocaine within a few days.

As the investigation progressed, investigators developed sufficient probable cause against Brown and Woods and placed wiretaps on the cellular phones that were allegedly used to conduct drug trafficking activity.

Corbett said that the wiretaps revealed that Brown had a large network of buyers in the Allentown area and that many of them were involved in the increasing gang presence that has been established in the Lehigh Valley.

Corbett said that confirmation from the Allentown City Police Department revealed that Brown and a number of the individuals he was associated with were members of the notorious New York based "Bloods" street gang.

"With its close proximity to New York City, New Jersey and Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley is a high traffic area for gangs," Corbett said.  "The demand for drugs, coupled with high profit potential, is the main reason these dealers move into Pennsylvania and spread their crime, ultimately affecting the quality of life for all citizens of the Lehigh Valley."

Through the use of the wiretaps agents were able to determine that Woods obtained kilograms of cocaine for redistribution in the Lehigh Valley from northern New Jersey.  Both Brown and Woods allegedly have ties to New Jersey.

Agents executed search and arrest warrants that resulted in the seizure of nine kilos of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $1.1 million and more than 53 pounds of marijuana.

Additionally, 10 firearms were seized, including a handgun that was allegedly used in an Allentown shooting.

"The amount of weapons and drugs seized as part of this investigation clearly demonstrates how dangerous this drug organization was," Corbett said.  "Anytime you have individuals trafficking not only drugs but gang related activity into your towns it is a serious matter. This organization was no different, but I am pleased that today they are out of business."

Shelton "Sha" Brown is charged with participating in corrupt organizations, criminal conspiracy to deliver controlled substance, criminal use of a communications facility and additional firearms charges.

The following defendants will be charged with corrupt organizations and various other drug related charges.

--Thomas Woods, 35, 422 Highlands Street, Easton.
--Randy Hudson, 29, Baltimore, MD
--Jerry Hunt, 26, Baltimore, MD
--Allen McCloud, 30, 618 N. Jasper Street, Allentown.
--Hassan Batts, 32, 948 Tioga Street, Allentown.
--Oni Chambers, 24, 948 Tioga Street, Allentown.
--Khalfani "K" Lassiter, 29, 743 7th Avenue, Bethlehem.
--Lionel "Bang" Dorsey, 31, 706 Pennsylvania Street, Whitehall.
--Lonjrell "L" Lynn, 27, 210 S. Dauphin Street, Allentown.
--Jose Ramirez aka Manny Gonzalez, 28,1331 South Hall Street, Allentown.
--Leticia Hernandez-Flood, 30, 1336 South 9th Street, Allentown.
--Deshawn "Low" Washington, 829 N. Berks Street, Allentown.
--"Rosco", address currently unknown.
--Akili Lassiter, address currently unknown.
--Legious Minder, 30, address currently unknown.
--Willie Green, 36, address currently unknown.
--Shanelle Riddick 20, address currently unknown.

The case will be prosecuted in Lehigh County by Senior Deputy Attorney General Lawrence M. Cherba of the Drug Strike Force.

Corbett thanked Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin, the Delaware County District Attorney's Office, the Lehigh County Drug Task Force and the Allentown Police Department for their assistance and cooperation with this investigation.

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