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Drug Ring With California Ties Broken Up

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A drug ring with suspected ties to California was broken up after 13 people were arrested around the Pittsburgh area.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office said that this has virtually every element of a major Mexico to United States drug-trafficking ring.

A total of 13 suspects were arrested in connection with an operation running out of Pittsburgh and Beaver County that is allegedly tied to a California street gang.

Jose Luis Pena-Montes, 44, is a reported member of the Surenos street gang in California. He allegedly directed Hispanic drug couriers to deliver heroin to Robert Carpenter, 46, of Pittsburgh.

From there, the Attorney General's Office said heroin was held at stash houses around our area and was distributed with the involvement of several other people.

Over $200,000 was seized as part of the sting to break up the operation. Guns, both raw and mixed heroin and stamped bags were also seized.

The other suspects who were arrested are:

  • Marquis Farrow, 30
  • Lee Burke, 48
  • Henry Boynes, 34
  • Darrick Curington, 36
  • Troy Dawkins, 45
  • Conroy Griffie, 56
  • David Lee, 58
  • Anel Mendivil, 31
  • Paul Perminter Jr., 43
  • Lawrence Stephens Jr., 30
  • Frank Teamor, 28

All 13 are facing drug and/or criminal conspiracy charges.

As for Pena-Montes, he's a Mexican-national in the United States without legal status. The Attorney General's Office said he was previously deported as many as five times.

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