Nearly 3 Dozen Arrested After Undercover Drug Bust
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Police arrested nearly three dozen people after an undercover investigation spanning the past four months.
The investigation started in January after police received complaints about the "open-air" drug sales going on downtown.
In particular, police say they witnessed the "rampant sale" of prescription pills at the McDonalds on Smithfield Street.
Last Friday, April 5, police did a round-up of the people they say were involved in these drug deals, resulting in 34 arrests.
Police say undercover officers bought Klonopin, Xanax and Suboxone at or near the Smithfield McDonalds. They were also able to buy heroin, crack cocaine and marijuana from several drug dealers during their investigation.
This is also not the first time authorities have dealt with drug problems at that McDonalds.
In 2009, District Attorney Stephen Zappala threatened to shut down the restaurant and two others, under the same category of a nuisance bar. However, the two sides came to an agreement and the restaurant stayed open. The details of that agreement were not made public.
Most of the suspects that were arrested are charged with possession of a controlled substance, intent to deliver a controlled substance and delivery of a controlled substance.
Two are charged with criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication device, and one woman is charged with obstructing of the administration of justice.
Two of the people arrested were also wanted on other charges.
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