HUNTINGDON, HUNTINGDON COUNTY - An early morning drug sweep by local, county and state law enforcement captured 25 of 29 people they say were involved an a massive heroin ring here in Huntingdon county.
"Because of this organization the heroin problem in Huntingdon has increased 10 times," Huntingdon District Attorney George Zanic says.
A grand jury investigation into the ring started in June of 2011.
Police say 31 year-old Curtis Koehler started the drug ring in Allentown before moving to Huntingdon.
Koehler allegedly would purchase heroin from a supplier in Philadelphia and use local people to distribute it.
Koehler, along with four of the Spell brothers from Huntingdon were arrested last fall, most of the others were taken into custody Thursday as part of what police are calling "Operation Spellbound."
"We're very pleased with what law enforcement has accomplished over the last several months and several years in this case. This is a victory for law enforcement," Zanic says.
Word of the arrests spread quickly throughout Huntingdon.
"It just shocks me. This was a good neighborhood," Lucille Haun of Huntingdon says.
Lucille Haun has lived in Huntingdon for 54 years, and had no idea that drugs were being dealt just a few doors down from her home.
"It scares me because I have an 11 year old granddaughter. I wish they'd get it all off the streets," Haun says.
During the sweep police collected around 3,000 bags of heroin and 8 guns. They say over the last 3 years the group sold about $14 million worth of heroin to users in Huntingdon County.
"There is a heroin problem here in Huntingdon County as this case illustrates. This was a massive distribution network. The addicts are here and hopefully those addicts seek out the proper services that are available to them," Anthony Sassano of the PA Attorney General's Office says.
Zanic believes the bust eliminated 80% of the heroin trade in the area.
Two people locally are still at large. 35 year-old Terrance Trice and 21 year-old Anthony Riskus of Mount Union are currently wanted by police.
"Because of this organization the heroin problem in Huntingdon has increased 10 times," Huntingdon District Attorney George Zanic says.
A grand jury investigation into the ring started in June of 2011.
Police say 31 year-old Curtis Koehler started the drug ring in Allentown before moving to Huntingdon.
Koehler allegedly would purchase heroin from a supplier in Philadelphia and use local people to distribute it.
Koehler, along with four of the Spell brothers from Huntingdon were arrested last fall, most of the others were taken into custody Thursday as part of what police are calling "Operation Spellbound."
"We're very pleased with what law enforcement has accomplished over the last several months and several years in this case. This is a victory for law enforcement," Zanic says.
Word of the arrests spread quickly throughout Huntingdon.
"It just shocks me. This was a good neighborhood," Lucille Haun of Huntingdon says.
Lucille Haun has lived in Huntingdon for 54 years, and had no idea that drugs were being dealt just a few doors down from her home.
"It scares me because I have an 11 year old granddaughter. I wish they'd get it all off the streets," Haun says.
During the sweep police collected around 3,000 bags of heroin and 8 guns. They say over the last 3 years the group sold about $14 million worth of heroin to users in Huntingdon County.
"There is a heroin problem here in Huntingdon County as this case illustrates. This was a massive distribution network. The addicts are here and hopefully those addicts seek out the proper services that are available to them," Anthony Sassano of the PA Attorney General's Office says.
Zanic believes the bust eliminated 80% of the heroin trade in the area.
Two people locally are still at large. 35 year-old Terrance Trice and 21 year-old Anthony Riskus of Mount Union are currently wanted by police.
Comments
I think they took way too long to bust them. I had to move because they were not doing anything. I lost a lot because of it!!!
mike w.
March 11, 2013 at 2:58 pm
im not saying you shouldnt pay for your mistakes but i know atleast 3 of these 29 that bettered there life from being scared straight the first time. i know some one gonna have something to say its your right but im telling you this is whats gonna happen
Rae S.
March 7, 2013 at 3:47 pm
yeah well the funny thing is you get half them so called off the street after they have been clean for months as a recovered addict..your gonna make half them revert back to drug addict tendancys so if you feel as though you did a good job yeah i agree heroin needs to be off the street however waiting so long to do something after the first bust you got all the people that really sold it..now all your gonna do is cause more people are gonna not be able to do anything with there lives...i believe in second chances i understand people make mistakes one time if they do it again then sorry about there luck but give them a chance.
Rae S.
March 7, 2013 at 3:44 pm
