Law enforcement officials announced the arrest of 9 people associated with the Crips gang and the dismantling of a major drug-trafficking ring.
SCRANTON, Pa. — Law enforcement officials in Lackawanna County announced Tuesday they arrested nine people associated with a notorious street gang and dismantled a major drug-trafficking ring.
The arrests come after an 11-month-long probe of the Crips gang centered on the Blue Face Global Hookah Lounge in North Scranton, a “notorious hotbed of criminal activity and violent incidents” in the city, District Attorney Mark Powell said. Those arrested have been charged with various drug, weapons, and corrupt organizations offenses.
The names provided by law enforcement are Lakee Harris, Jermaine Wilson, Lee Wood, Lawrence Myers, Dwight Smith, Damion Williams, Keith Fox Jr., Nicole Young and Joanne Gaetano.
Prosecutors also sought an injunction shutting down the lounge as a public nuisance, Powell said.
The investigation remains ongoing, he added.
During the investigation, dubbed “Operation Blue Face,” officers seized more than one kilogram of cocaine, 500 grams of methamphetamine, and thousands of pressed pills containing fentanyl, ecstasy, and methamphetamine.
Authorities also took a mechanical pill press used to make illegal pills, seven handguns, and approximately $8,000.
The case involved investigators from the district attorney’s office, the Scranton police department, the state police, and the state attorney general’s office.
Check back later for updates.
