'Operation Infamous Choppers' Busts Drug Ring Through Motorcycle Shop
Big Amounts Of Marijuana Moved Through Ohio Township, Sewickley Area
ThePittsburghChannel .Com
updated 2:16 p.m. PT, Sat., Aug 22, 2009
SEWICKLEY, Pa. - THE PITTSBURGH CHANNEL.com
Four hundred pounds of marijuana per month was brought into Allegheny and Beaver counties in a drug ring that operated out of a motorcycle shop, Attorney General Tom Corbett said.Details of "Operation Infamous Choppers" were announced Friday at a news conference at the Sewickley Police Department on Thorn Street, as suspects were loaded into police cars and taken to jail.
"This is a substantial organization. But I will tell you, unfortunately, across Pennsylvania,
this is an average-size organization," Corbett said.
Pounds and pounds of the confiscated drugs were shown off at the news conference. Two handguns, two shotguns, six vehicles and a custom chopper were also seized.
An investigating grand jury alleged that the operation was led by John Duzicky, 37, owner of Infamous Choppers on Camp Horne Road in Ohio Township, Allegheny County.
Duzicky lives in Aleppo Township but also maintains residency in Arizona, where he would allegedly receive marijuana in bulk from a Mexican supplier, Corbett said.
The grand jury found that marijuana and cash were shipped cross-country in vehicles and trailers with concealed compartments, and a private airplane was allegedly flown to small airports in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio to deliver drugs.
"The bales of marijuana in the shipments were concealed by being heavily wrapped in various layers," Corbett said. "One layer was wrapping paper, covering an inch of cellophane. Under the cellophane was a half an inch of grease, followed by another layer of cellophane and dryer sheets. If you're asking why -- for the dogs, trying to keep the scent away."
The attorney general's office identified the following suspects and charges:
John Duzicky, 37, of Aleppo Township, is charged with corrupt organization, delivery of a controlled substance, possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal attempt, and criminal conspiracy.
Kirk O'Neill, 39, of Glen Osborne, is charged with corrupt organization, delivery of a controlled substance, possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal attempt, and criminal conspiracy.
James Gleason, 37, of Aleppo Township, is charged with corrupt organization, delivery of a controlled substance, possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, and criminal conspiracy.
William Loftus Jr., 31, of Aliquippa, is charged with corrupt organization, delivery of a controlled substance, possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, and criminal conspiracy.
Frank Berardelli, 51, of Rochester, is charged with corrupt organization, delivery of a controlled substance, and possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance.
Thomas Palsa, 41, of Aliquippa, is charged with corrupt organization, delivery of a controlled substance, possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, and criminal conspiracy.
Richard Jula, 45, of Crescent Township, is charged with corrupt organization, possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, and criminal conspiracy.
Alan Stevens, 39, of Aliquippa, is charged with possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, and criminal conspiracy.
Larry Catlin, 55, of Tucson, Ariz., is charged with corrupt organization, delivery of a controlled substance, possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, and criminal conspiracy.
Richard Catlin, 50, of Benson, Ariz., is charged with corrupt organization, delivery of a controlled substance, possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, and criminal conspiracy.
Jackie Carroll, 21, of Ambridge, is charged with corrupt organization, possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, and criminal conspiracy.
David Ellison, 38, of Aliquippa, is charged with corrupt organization, possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, and criminal conspiracy.
Slideshow -Evidence Photos
Drugs, Guns Seized In Operation Infamous Choppers - Photos - WTAE Pittsburgh
another different local bust 6 days later.
Video
I didn't personally know any of them, but respect that obviously somebody's shit got stepped into...hard.
regards,
roach