HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday, in conjunction with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, announced charges against two people trafficking $110,000 worth of cocaine from out of state to western Pennsylvania.
Office of Attorney General agents, along with investigators from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Pennsylvania State Police, and Patterson Township police, stopped a vehicle Saturday in Beaver Falls and recovered five kilograms of cocaine.
Two Ohio residents in the vehicle, Darnell Lawson, 45, and Taylor Suggs, 31, each are charged with felony drug trafficking. Bail for each was set at $1 million.
The investigation is ongoing.
”Communities are safer when law enforcement works together, and this stoppage of a high-level drug-trafficking operation is an example of that,” Attorney General Sunday said. “Our office will continue to be a leader and willing partner in unified efforts to cut trafficking pipelines, and hold accountable dealers who often subject communities to violence as they protect their lucrative, illegal trade.”
Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Thomas Hodnett stated, “This investigation is a testament to the commitment and collaboration between the DEA, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Together, we are dismantling drug organizations operating in Pennsylvania.”
Agents became aware of the large shipment of cocaine and attempted a vehicle stop of a rental car on Saturday. The vehicle fled down an embankment, and was stopped by police. Agents located the cocaine in a bag in the vehicle’s trunk.
Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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