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Wiretaps led Montgomery County authorities to 32 individuals, including a local, as they uncovered the operation of methamphetamine distributors, users and pushers that spanned from Montgomery County to Philadelphia.
Due to “public safety concerns surrounding the distribution and use of such a hazardous and dangerous drug,” the Montgomery County Narcotics Enforcement Team deemed this a high-priority case after learning of drug trafficking in Hatfield last year, according to a Montgomery Country District Attorney’s Office press release.
The Superior Court of Pennsylvania granted authorities the ability to wiretap the cell phones of Francesco Messina, of Hatfield Township, and Troy Dudas, of Limerick Township. The taps that spanned Feb. 8 to 29 led to 14 search warrants throughout Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, including the apartment of Joseph “Phoenix” Croxton, of the 1700 block of Tasker Street, where drug paraphernalia was recovered March 1, First Assistant District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said.
“He was involved in distribution with one of the targets of the wire, Troy Dudas,” Steele said of Croxton, who was arrested last week and charged with corrupt organizations and drug violations.
Authorities tabbed the drug trafficking organization a “family affair,” as brothers Jeffrey and David Penna allegedly used and distributed meth from the former’s Hatfield home while their associate, Messina, is believed to have distributed to others such as his sister-in-law Lisa Messina. Authorities also uncovered a similar ring in Philly supposedly headed by North Philly brothers Juan M. Encarnacion and Antonio Encarnacion Perales.
The 32 defendants were arraigned May 2 and 4 and have a preliminary hearing set for Friday.
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
In this week’s Police Report:
Rising to the occasion
Birthday behind bars
Smashed
Police gatherings 05-10-12
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28043647
