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Drug Investigation Yields 10 Arrests: Alleged Kingpin of Crack Cocaine Ring Still at Large

Posted on: Wednesday, 17 May 2006, 06:07 CDT

By Chris Rosenblum, The Centre Daily Times, State College, Pa.

May 17--STATE COLLEGE -- Local and state police nabbed 10 people early Tuesday morning, capping a 17-month investigation into an alleged Centre County crack cocaine distribution network.

But State College resident Michael Wright, whom police call the kingpin of the ring, remains at large.

Conducted by State College police, the state police Troop G Vice and Narcotics Unit and the Centre County District Attorney's Office, the investigation produced arrest warrants for 15 people who face 116 felony charges and 32 misdemeanor charges. Most are residents of Centre County.

Most of the people arrested Tuesday face multiple counts of delivery of crack cocaine, conspiracy to deliver crack cocaine and other charges. They were arraigned before District Judge Carmine Prestia, who set bail in amounts ranging from $2,500 to $125,000. Some could face federal prosecution.

State College Police Chief Tom King said he's concerned about narcotics, usually more of an urban problem, increasing in the county. But he said the investigation, aided by numerous citizen tips, sends a "strong message" to dealers thinking of "setting up shop in State College."

"The message needs to be clear: We're not going to tolerate it, and I don't think the citizens will either," King said.

Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira said the group arrested Tuesday were "significant" crack dealers.

Police describe a patient unraveling of the alleged network.

In January 2005, police began investigating suspicions that Wright, 32, was bringing crack from New York City into State College at least weekly. During the investigation, police say, Wright and his cohorts sold more than 150 ounces, or four kilograms, of crack in the State College area.

According to police, an ounce of crack consisting of 28 grams sells locally for $1,000 to $1,200, almost double its New York price. A typical Centre County buy, of between a half-gram and a gram, costs $50 to $100.

Officers started making buys from known associates of Wright in April 2005 and then through surveillance, police say, linked the crack to Wright.

A year ago, police arrested Kendrick McLaughlin, 28, of Harrisburg, at a State College motel after agreeing to buy 56 grams of crack for cash and a handgun. McLaughlin, awaiting trial on federal charges and facing 27 years in jail, worked for Wright's network, police say.

Last June, Wright made the first of several crack sales to an officer, police say. In the next months, police say, they kept buying from Wright and others in the alleged network.

In November, three men who police say belonged to the network -- Ramon Lloyd, 20, and Darnell Wright, 23, both of Philadelphia, and Marquis Carr, 24, of Williamsport -- were arrested at a College Township residence. Crack was found in the home.

Last week, officers bought crack at a local residence from a man later identified as Edward Gilchrist, 41, of Brooklyn, N.Y. Police said they arrested Gilchrist two days later after learning that Wright supplied him and that Gilchrist was wanted in New York.

Soon after, police say, they made an undercover buy from some of Wright's main dealers, searched a Heritage Oaks apartment in Patton Township and found 30 grams of crack, a scale, packaging materials and $2,100.

Lt. Maynard Gray, of the state police, said investigators pursued the case for months because they wanted to bust the whole network, not just a few low-level dealers.

"We wanted the main guy," Gray said.

However, they're still looking. Police think the recent arrest and seizures may have prompted Wright to flee. Anyone with information about him is asked to call State College police at 231-7150.

Chris Rosenblum can be reached at 231-4620.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Centre Daily Times, State College, Pa.

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Source: Centre Daily Times (State College, Pa.)

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