Fourteen Members of Cocaine Distribution Ring Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced today the unsealing of a 21-count Superseding Indictment charging 14 individuals with drug trafficking and firearms offenses. The defendants are members of a drug trafficking group led by defendant Herbert Robinson (“Robinson DTG”).

The Superseding Indictment alleges that the defendants, several of whom had prior drug trafficking offenses, distributed hundreds of kilograms of cocaine in the Philadelphia area and elsewhere from at least February 2019 to January 2021. As alleged in the Superseding Indictment, Robinson and other high-ranking members of the DTG regularly traveled internationally to meet with drug suppliers in Mexico, Colombia, and Jamaica. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 169 kilograms of cocaine, $8.26 million in cash drug proceeds, and four firearms.

The individuals charged include: Herbert Robinson, 48, of Lower Gwynedd, PA; Samyre Washington, 38, of Wyncote, PA; Ross Brooks, 48, of Philadelphia, PA; Melvin Butler, 60, of Compton, CA; Marcus Washington, 43, of Philadelphia, PA; Marvin Watson, 44, of Glen Mills, PA; Randall Overton, 39, of Philadelphia, PA; Frank Singleton, 50, of Upper Darby, PA; James Leonard Flack, Jr., 54, of Philadelphia, PA; Kashon Adade, 36, of Lansdowne, PA; Antonio Simmons, 49, of Gahanna, OH; Von Oscar Tyler, 56, of Temple Hills, MD; Gilberto Alaniz, 34, of Mercedex, TX; and L.B. Nelson, 44, of Inglewood, CA.

Thirteen defendants have pleaded guilty. The remaining defendant, a fugitive, passed away after the Superseding Indictment was returned. Several members of the Robinson DTG pleaded guilty to additional drug charges, money laundering, and tax crimes, charged via three separate Informations in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, and Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, with assistance from Pennsylvania State Police – SHIELD Unit, Delaware State Police, New Jersey State Police, Philadelphia Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Francis A. Weber.

The defendants are accused of distributing hundreds of kilograms of cocaine in the Philadelphia area and elsewhere from February 2019 to January 2021. The Superseding Indictment alleges that Robinson and other high-ranking members of the DTG regularly traveled internationally to meet with drug suppliers in Mexico, Colombia, and Jamaica.

Law enforcement seized approximately 169 kilograms of cocaine, $8.26 million in cash drug proceeds, and four firearms during the course of the investigation.

The charges include drug trafficking and firearms offenses. The defendants, several of whom had prior drug trafficking offenses, distributed hundreds of kilograms of cocaine in the Philadelphia area and elsewhere.

Herbert Robinson and other members of the Robinson DTG face serious charges related to cocaine trafficking and firearms offenses.

The case is ongoing, and further developments will be reported as more information becomes available.

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