Police chief says large-scale raids, which could result in the closing of a local pub, are "the first of its kind."
UPPER DARBY - The ramifications of a large-scale drug trafficking crack-down involving about 100 different law enforcement personnel are still being felt.
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The raids last week led to over 30 arrests in two days. As of Monday authorities, were pursuing six more suspects wanted for drug related offenses.
"We started Wednesday around 3 p.m. and we went into Thursday," said Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood.
The sheer scale of the cooperative effort, which focused on the 69th Street area, was "the first of its kind," according to the superintendent
Officials say they are now looking into the possibility of shutting down Brownie's Pub in the 100 block of Garrett Road, where police say a significant amount of drug activity took place.
"We believe that was the hub of the activity," said Chitwood, who said police are working with state officials in an effort to close the establishment.
The operation was the culmination of several months of undercover work and investigation by the Upper Darby Police, the Delaware County District Attorney's Office and the county's Criminal Investigation Division drug task force.
"These people were all arrested in separate raids," said Upper Darby Police Lt. George Rhoades.
Investigators targeted people who they say were selling illegal drugs, from home or on the street.
"We got $17,000 in cash, four vehicles, four handguns and a little less than a pound of cocaine," said Chitwood.
Most of those arrested are facing felony drug charges. Many are scheduled for preliminary hearings May 5 before District Judge Nicholas Lippincott. A majority of the suspects had not posted bail as of yesterday afternoon, according to court officials.
A bartender and over half a dozen patrons of Brownie's Pub were among the group.
Jenny Yi, 21, of the 500 block of Karen Court in North Wales, Pa., a bartender at Brownie's Pub, and Sung Kim, address unknown, are charged with criminal conspiracy after they assisted an undercover officer buy marijuana from a third party, according to police reports.
The pair also allegedly said they could facilitate the sale of ecstasy.
Major Andrews, 22, of the 100 block of Garret Road, Darnell Woods, 100 block North Keystone Avenue, Isiah Mungin, 23, of the 100 block of Garrett Road, Tyrek Walker, 19, of the 7200 block of Bradford Road, all of Upper Darby are accused of selling crack cocaine or marijuana to undercover officers on different occasions while inside the bar, according to reports. These sales allegedly occurred in the months leading up to the April 19 and 20 raids.
Lamar McLendon, 18, of the 1200 block of Providence Road in Secane, was arrested outside the bar and charged with marijuana possession.
Dawud Young, 28, of the 100 block of Newside Court in Newark, Del., was arrested outside the bar after he refused to cooperate with police who asked him to stop for questioning as they were making another arrest outside the bar, reports state.
Young allegedly struck officers several times in the arms and chest as they were attempting to handcuff him.
Many were also charged with trafficking drugs on the street or at home.
For example, police say they found a stolen .32 caliber handgun, marijuana and $376 cash when they raided the home of Lamar Shelia Jacobs, 46, and William Peter Washington, 38, in the 7000 block of Radbourne Road, according to reports.
Chitwood said emergency response teams and constables worked with uniformed officers and others during the raids.
"It was very, very well planned," said Chitwood. "The good thing about the operation was that no police officers or civilians got hurt."
©News of Delaware County 2006
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