49 Chesco Drug Dealers Arrested In Massive Bust: DA

"Operation Crushed Ice" has led to the mass arrest of 49 drug dealers in Chester County, the Chester County District Attorney's Office announced.

Although the dealers were based in Chester County, their operations in trafficking methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and prescription drugs spread across the entire United States, the DA said.

"Protecting Chester County from drug dealers requires constant vigilance," DA Tom Hogan said in a statement. "Operation Crushed Ice has destroyed a significant drug trafficking organization that was operating in our back yard. This is a battle that law enforcement fights every day to protect our children, our businesses, our homes."

The drug ring was lead by Richard Maitre, 27, of Oxford, and it was also named "Maitre DTO" in his honor.

The investigation into Maitre DTO began in 2015 when Maitre, who was still in prison at the time, used his connections to deliver drugs outside the prison and make money, authorities said.

The DA said that Maitre began running the organization full time once he was released in 2016, and quickly gained a wide net of sub-distributors and customers. Authorities called his operation "sophisticated" and said that he worked hard to keep his sources of drugs hidden from authorities.

Police used undercover agents and confidential informants to buy drugs from Maitre, and soon thereafter, wire-tapped his cell phone. The tap revealed the "full scope" of the organization: how Maitre used both planes and cars to deliver drugs, and how sub-dealers helped ensure a steady flow of drugs and money.

“Drug dealers are like a virus," Hogan said. "They constantly shift and mutate, finding new ways to avoid detection and cause harm."

On at least one occasion, Maitre had several men beat a dealer who had not paid him on time.

Police raided Maitre DTO on Jan. 12 and executed most of the arrests. Maitre himself fled but was captured on Jan. 25, police said.

During the raids, 40 firearms, 20 vehicles, cash, drug scales, packaging materials, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, prescription drugs, and methamphetamine were all seized.

Maitre and his co-conspirators were charged with felony drug trafficking, conspiracy, arms violations, and related counts, police said.

Other individuals arrested in Chester County include Brian Amoriello, 40; Alberto Andrews, 37; Jose Beltran-Mercado, 33; Michael Brackin, 25; Kiere Brown, 25; Christopher Bryant, 29; Nicole Bui, 29; Samuel Carr, 29; Charles Chambers, 55; Julio Colon, 28; Harry Dillow, 55; Dean Fenner, 47; Christopher Forrester, 38; Gilberto Hernandez, 24; Jeremy Horne, 26; Eboni Jackson, 41; Jermaine Jackson, 45; Scott Johnson, 29; William Jones, 30; Ryan Kelly, 36; Maria Lemos, 41; Carrie Lewis, 33; Debra Lewis, 46; Brittaney Mantz, 24; Marc Massey, 36; Herbert McClain, Jr., 30; Jenna McGoldrick, 26; Steven Miller, 29; Michael Oxford, 38; David Price, 34; Joseph Racca, 28; Moiscell Robinson, 28; Robbie Robinson, 40; Austin Rodriguez, 29; Deanie Seymour, 29; Victor Smith, 37; Theodore Spencer, 56; Tonya Stewart, 39; Andrea Sydenstricker, 27; Barry Sydenstricker, 60; Jonathan Taylor, 27; Darrell Thomas, 33; Timothy Turner, 27; Louie Velez, 37; Michael Walsh, Jr., 20; Michael Walsh, Sr., 38; Stephen Westmoreland, 33; and Michael Zelek, 30.

Maitre's bail was set at $2 million and he was booked at Chester County Prison.

Anyone who has any additional information related to this investigation should contact Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866.

Image courtesy Chester County District Attorney's Office