A group of 17 people allegedly involved in a North Philadelphia drug trafficking ring were arrested last week after an investigation from state and federal authorities.
Members of the Louis Alexander Drug Trafficking Organization were using a coffee shop as a front for their operation, state officials said Wednesday, and over 4 pounds of cocaine, 130 pounds of marijuana, quantities of fentanyl and 27 firearms were seized in the investigation.
Federal authorities with the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted state and local officials executing search warrants at 30 locations last week in Philadelphia, Delaware County and New Jersey.
Sixteen members of the organization were arrested, including the group’s alleged leader, Louis Alexander, 56, who was placed on a $750,000 bail. A 17th person surrendered on March 27.
“Today marks a new day for North Philadelphians who were, for far too long, exposed to a group of criminals who did not hesitate to carry firearms to protect their lucrative trade — distributing poisons,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Sunday said. “For years, with our partners, we assembled cases against each and every charged defendant so when we took action, it would be the end of this criminal enterprise.”
The group had been selling drugs in Cumberland Coffee & Snacks in North Philadelphia and outside of the storefront on the corner of West Cumberland and North Cleveland streets. Cocaine was also allegedly cooked and packaged upstairs, authorities said during a news conference Wednesday.
The people facing felony charges of corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver and illegal possession of firearms. Many of the defendants were incarcerated following their arraignments and those who were on parole or probation will face additional punishment, Sunday said.
The cases will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorneys General Daniel Sweeney and Michael Barry from the Attorney General’s Drug Strike Force Section. Further investigation is underway regarding whether the seized firearms are connected to other violent crimes.