Cocaine Trafficking Operation Broken Up In Philly Area, 17 Arrested

PHILADELPHIA — Federal and state authorities said they broke up a Philadelphia-based cocaine trafficking operation, seizing drugs, guns, and cash.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry and the FBI announced the months-long investigation led to arrests of 17 alleged drug traffickers this week.

Investigators conducted search and arrest operations Tuesday in Philadelphia and surrounding areas.

As a result, authorities said Vincent Lofton, 60, one of the alleged heads of the trafficking network, was arrested, along with 16 other people at various locations. Lofton was arraigned Wednesday and bail was set at $1 million.

Investigators served more than a dozen search warrants at residences and additional warrants on vehicles and a financial institution, according to authorities.

The other people charged are Jose Escobedo, Tamika Leggett, Haneefah Gladden, Charressa Hopkins, Shanice Lofton, Kiyon Dennis, Bruce Rozier, Shawn Grady, Victor Christmas, Robert Nelson, Phillip Jackson, Nymir Brown, Steven Pittman, Dante Primo, Philip Curtis, and Anthony Jones.

Seized were 10 handguns, 5 long guns, nearly 10 pounds of powder and crack cocaine, 33 pounds of marijuana, other narcotics, paraphernalia, cutting agents, and $65,630 cash.

"Collaboration and coordination between law enforcement thwarted a sophisticated, upper-level trafficking ring that was constantly bringing large quantities of narcotics to the Commonwealth," Henry said. "We know of the devastation these addictive substances cause, as well as the direct threats posed to communities by traffickers who use guns to protect their trade. Law enforcement is stronger when allied with partner agencies committed to protecting Pennsylvanians and their families."

State and federal authorities were aided by law enforcement partners from the Philadelphia Police Department, Philadelphia Sheriff’s Department, Radnor Township Police Department, Borough of Hatboro Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, Burlington County (N.J.) Prosecutor’s Office, and Pennsylvania State Police.