Worker Fired, Charged With Selling Drugs Out Of PWSA Truck
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Police have charged a Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority worker has been suspended from his job and charged with selling heroin out of one of the authority's trucks.
PWSA employee Luke Barnes is facing felony drug charges.
According to police reports, Barnes was arrested on the North Side late Monday afternoon.
"There was the suspected use and potential selling of drugs involved," said Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto.
Police reports indicate Barnes allegedly drove onto a North Side street in a white PWSA vehicle about 4:30 p.m. Monday. Undercover officers say a deal was set up for a man in a white truck to deliver heroin.
Investigators say Barnes sold undercover officers 17 stamp bags of heroin for $130.
According to police, Barnes indicated he was selling the heroin for another man so he could keep three bags for himself.
Barnes was suspended, and later terminated from his position with the PWSA.
Mayor Peduto: "You have to make sure that the laws are being followed."
KDKA's Marty Griffin: "So this is something that cannot be tolerated?"
Mayor Peduto: "Well, it can't be, especially when it comes to someone who is operating a vehicle or someone who is operating heavy equipment, not only for the safety of the public but their own public safety as well."
Along with the PWSA employee, police also arrested another man who apparently sent Barnes to make the heroin deal. According to police, that suspect also had heroin in his possession.
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has released this statement:
"We are deeply concerned about the alleged incident. The PWSA will conduct an internal investigation and handle according to authority policy."
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