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Wilkes-Barre City Provides Results of Drug Trafficking/Violent Crime Initiative

Posted on: May 6, 2019 - 4:24pm

Mayor Tony George and WBPD Chief Joe Coffay are pleased to announce the results of a city-wide drug trafficking/violent crime initiative conducted between March 18, 2019 and May 2, 2019.

The initiative was a coordination between the following agencies: Wilkes-Barre Police Department Anti-Crime/NST Units, Wilkes-Barre Police Department Investigations and Patrol Divisions, Wilkes-Barre Code Enforcement, Office of Attorney General Strategic Response Team (SRT) and SOG, Pennsylvania State Police Troop P Vice Unit. US Marshals Service, FBI/DEA/ATF Task Forces, Luzerne County Drug Task Force, PA State Parole, and New York Police Department.

The initiative consisted of drug buys, undercover purchases of narcotics, buy/bust operations, and search warrants throughout every section of the City.  As a result of the investigations, investigators were able to take into custody 52 subjects on felony drug trafficking charges and two were taken into custody for misdemeanor drug violations.  An additional 7 arrests were made for felony violations of the Drug Act, Fugitive from Justice, and various firearms charges. An additional 6 arrests were made for  possession of a controlled substance, false identification to law enforcement, and endangering the welfare of children. Investigators arrested 12 subjects on outstanding warrants, six of which were for various felonies. Investigators served 13 search warrants throughout the city and seized 7 firearms and $50,000.00 in drug proceeds as well as large amounts of heroin and crack cocaine.  All defendants were incarcerated pending further court action in the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas. The initiative is the result of a continued effort between the Wilkes-Barre Police and it's federal and state partners in law enforcement.

“My administration is dedicated to cleaning up the city. We want people to know that they cannot come to Wilkes-Barre to commit crimes and get away with it. The results of these initiatives over the past 3½ years are evident that we are combating crime. We  will continue to have sweeps and saturation patrols. Our partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcements agencies are stronger than ever and are clearly effective,” said Mayor Tony George.