3 Montco Drug Traffickers Indicted By Federal Grand Jury: DOJ

NORRISTOWN, PA — Three men arrested in Montgomery County last year as part of the bust of a major local drug trafficking ring have been indicted by a federal grand jury, authorities announced Monday. Their prosecution will now proceed at the federal level.

David Cooper, 44, of Muhlenberg, Christopher Saunders, 26 of Pottstown, and Edwin Andino, 26, of Allentown, all face charges of trafficking illegal drugs around the area, including across Montgomery, Berks, Lehigh, and Lancaster counties, officials said.

That trio was arrested along with two other major traffickers back in June 2018. More than 6,600 doses of fentanyl were seized during the bust, and an investigation determined the group also sold methamphetamine, crack cocaine, cocaine, and marijuana.

One of those other traffickers, Miguel Figueroa Jr., of Reading, was sentenced to 18 to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty in December.

Grand jury proceedings, often reserved for more serious crimes, are kept out of the public eye, unlike preliminary hearings. In sensitive and highly consequential cases such as the bust of a major drug ring, it means, among other things, that witnesses may speak without worrying about personal repercussions.

In addition to the seizure of 6,600 doses of fentanyl - 198.6 grams - authorities also seized seven handguns (one with the serial number filed off), more than $34,000 in cash, and numerous drug-packaging materials, officials said. A Pennsylvania State Trooper found the stash hidden in a secret compartment inside the suspects' Honda Odyssey. It was not found on the first search of the vehicle by police.

Ultimately, more than 20 individuals were arrested in the multi-agency investigation dubbed "Operation Poison Control."

Image via Montgomery County District Attorney's Office