Following the dismantling of a significant drug trafficking operation in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, authorities state that eight “drug trade kingpins” have been detained and one individual is still being sought.
The eight individuals detained are Following the dismantling of a significant drug trafficking operation in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, authorities state that eight “drug trade kingpins” have been detained and one individual is still being sought.
The eight individuals detained are:
- Gregory Council, 63, Downingtown
- Kareem Bannister, 37, Chester
- Louis Stillis, 53, Upland
- Anthony Major, 53, Philadelphia
- Breon Gethers, 38, Chester
- Baruti Mills, 46, Upland
- Leo Davis, 47, Chester
- Gregory Young, 52, Marcus Hook
Police are presently looking for Harrisburg resident Nakia Jeffries, 49, who is also accused, according to officials.
Operation “Rat Pack” was the county’s narcotics task force (NTF)’s “most intensive undercover operation” in recent memory, according to district attorney Jack Stollsteimer.
“These are drug kingpins. These aren’t just people selling marijuana to each other. These are people selling one of the most addictive drugs there is,” Stollsteimer stated.
The FBI and Delaware State Police both provided assistance with the operation.
A news release from the District Attorney’s Office stated that Mills was identified as the organization’s leader when the investigation into possible drug trafficking activities started in February 2024.
According to officials, Mills allegedly made arrangements to obtain cocaine supplies from sources, including those in Philadelphia. Additionally, it has been stated that he had a warehouse in Wilmington, Delaware, where he kept cocaine.
“Very high-tech, sophisticated operation. I said earlier these are not people who are just starting the trade. They are notorious, known to law enforcement,” Stollsteimer stated.
The DA’s office claims that Bannister and Young are “trusted members of the organization” who would accompany Mills to Philadelphia in order to resupply cocaine to other organization members. Bannister is also charged with accompanying Mills to the Wilmington storage facility.
According to the NTF, between March and May, members of their task team bought cocaine from Young undercover in Chester.
In June, a judge granted the NTF permission to wiretap the defendants’ cell phones and record the calls. According to the officials, this allowed them to establish that all nine of the defendants were actively involved in obtaining and reselling cocaine via Mills’ network.
On August 13, police officers then carried out search warrants at sixteen locations around Delaware County and the state of Delaware.
One location was Chester’s 10th Street warehouse. There, according to the investigators, they discovered a half-pound of marijuana, baggies of different sizes, and digital scales containing residue from cocaine.
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Another location that was raided was the apartment above the Madison Grille on Chester’s East 12th Street. According to the police, cocaine was kept there and occasionally sold there.
Six cars, three firearms, ammunition, and $63,073 in cash were found during the search warrants’ execution. Additionally, 257 grams of marijuana and nearly 430 grams of cocaine were found.
Following their arraignments, the eight detained defendants each had a $500,000 cash bail imposed. Preliminary hearings are set for August 28 while they are detained at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility.
