A federal jury in Pittsburgh has found Santino Drew, a 36-year-old New Jersey man, guilty of two felony narcotics counts: conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and possession with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
The verdict was announced by United States Attorney David J. Hickton on May 13, 2015, after a four-and-a-half-day trial before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.
Drew was charged alongside Brandon Thompson and Aldwin Vega, who had both pled guilty to heroin trafficking charges prior to the trial. Vega was sentenced to 16 years in prison, while Thompson received a 15-year sentence.
The investigation, led by the FBI, revealed that Drew conspired with two other New Jersey-based heroin suppliers, Thomas Martinez and Hector Guadalupe, to transport heroin from New Jersey to Pittsburgh, where it was resold. One of the persons Drew sold heroin to was Jay Germany, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to heroin trafficking charges.
On January 30, 2013, the FBI executed a search warrant at the Comfort Inn in Robinson Township, where they found 519 bricks of heroin, totaling 707 grams, under Drew’s bed.
Judge Bissoon has scheduled sentencing for September 2, 2015, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 20 years in prison and not more than life, a fine of not more than $10,000,000, or both.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, McKeesport Police Department, Munhall Police Department, and the West Homestead Police Department.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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