A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh indicted 40 men and women on Tuesday for violating narcotics and firearms laws, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice Western District.
The suspects are mostly from Pittsburgh and surrounding suburbs, but a handful live in West Virginia, Ohio and Southern California. They range in age from 21 to 63.
"Today's operation, which was centered in the city of Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood, highlights the critical role our task forces play in combating heroin and cocaine trafficking and the violent criminal enterprises that attempt to take root in our neighborhoods," said Special Agent in Charge Scott Smith of the FBI's Pittsburgh's Field Office, according to the release.
U.S. Attorney David Hickton issued a statement in which he said "the goal of this investigation is to disrupt and ultimately dismantle these gang-related drug distribution networks in Pittsburgh, in Western Pennsylvania and throughout the country."
The charges center around possession with the intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and the unlawful possession of firearms.
