Mercer County Drug Dealer Involved In $10M Drug Ring: Pennsylvania AG

A major drug bust that authorities say will reduce the amount of heroin and cocaine available in Eastern Pennsylvania was announced this week. Authorities called it the Dragon Heroin Pipeline, and charges against 16 involved drug dealers, including one from Mercer County, were announced Monday.

The ring, known for its potent "Dragon" stamped heroin, sold an estimated $7.8 million worth of the opiate in 13 months, Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. In addition to heroin, the ring also sold $1.9 million worth of cocaine in that time period, authorities said.

The bust was announced Monday after a statewide investigation that involved the Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, officials from Montgomery County, Altoona and Johnstown police and the Blair and Cambria County Drug Task Forces.

Damon “Fat Cat” Devine, 40, of Philadelphia was the main target of the investigation, which probed dealers who transported large amounts of heroin and cocaine from Philadelphia to Altoona and Johnstown, Shapiro said.

The Devine ring sold heroin that was stamped “Dragon” on the bags because it was more potent than other heroin sold in Altoona or Johnstown, authorities said.

Police began investigating Devine in August 2016, when he was a passenger in a car involved in a high-speed police chase with a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper that ended in a crash. It was at that time that 3,750 heroin baggies stamped “Dragon,” was seized from the vehicle. Cocaine was also found in the car.

Devine posted bail after that arrest and continued to operate his drug organization, authorities allege.

To take down the pipeline, authorities said they made a series of controlled drug buys in coordination with an associate.

In addition to ring leader Devine, the following defendants are charged with possessing with intent to distribute narcotics, conspiracy and related charges:

• Aaron Beard, 50, of 19th St, Altoona
• Melissa Coleman, 43, of Stackhouse St, Johnstown
• James Everett-Bey, 40, of Hunter Street, Philadelphia
• Richard Govier, 39, of W Main St, Stoystown
• Kristy Hicks, 38, of 29th St, Altoona
• Kara Kirby-Horner, 35, of Campbell Ave, Johnstown
• Blaine Jackson, 40, of Chandler Ave, Johnstown
• Jaime Madden, 52, of Franklin St, Johnstown
• Jasmine McGowan, 27, of Cypress Ave, Johnstown
• James Miller, 28, of Ihmsen Ave, Johnstown
• Jabu Robinson, 37, of W Wyneva St, Philadelphia
• Phillip Stevens, 30, of Cherry Ave, Altoona
• Travis Taylor, 39, of 1st Ave, Altoona
• Brieon Thurston, 35, of Lenhart St, Johnstown
• Barbara Tyler, 58, of Greenwood Ave, Trenton, NJ