SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — District attorney Mark Powell released details Tuesday after a months-long investigation into gang activity within Lackawanna County.
Investigators held a press conference Tuesday to discuss an 11-month-long investigation, resulting in the arrest of nine suspected members of the Crips street gang.
The nine alleged members were arrested in October but on Tuesday the Scranton business they operated out of was shut down following the nearly year-long investigation.
Powell stated the investigation resulted in the dismantling of a drug trafficking operation conducted by members of the Crips at the BlueFace Global Hookah Lounge in Scranton. According to DA Powell, the lounge on North Main Avenue was a "notorious hotbed for criminal activity in the City of Scranton."
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As a result of a search warrant, officers seized the following:
Kilogram of cocaine
Five grams of meth
Thousands of pressed pills that are believed to contain fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other drugs
Seven handguns
$8,000 in cash
The Lackawanna County District Attorney's Office secured an injunction to close down BlueFace Global Hookah Lounge. Powell stated they will request the Court of Common Pleas to "declare the established as a public nuisance and intend to close it down permanently so it is no longer a threat to our citizens in Lackawanna County."
The following nine individuals arrested are facing several charges including drug trafficking, possession of illegal weapons, corrupt organizations, and other related offenses:
Lakee Harris
Dwight Smith, owner and operator at BlueFace Lounge
Damion Williams, owner and operator at BlueFace Lounge
Keith Fox
Jermaine Wilson
Lee Wood
Lawerence Myers
Nicole Young
Joanne Gaetano
Lackawanna County PrisonLackawanna County DA's OfficeLackawanna County DA's OfficeLackawanna County DA's OfficeLackawanna County DA's OfficeLackawanna County DA's OfficeLackawanna County DA's Office
Powell says shootings in late 2023 and early 2024 at the Diamond Club in Old Forge and a Waffle House shooting on Davis Street in Scranton led police to the drug trafficking operation.
Scranton Police Chief Tom Carroll noted these crimes committed affect the entire community.
"A legitimate business as a front to bring in criminal activity doesn't work. You have to think of the secondary effects of the families they shattered by those people who become addicted to drugs or the victims of the violence."
This is an ongoing investigation. Some of the individuals arrested have posted bail
Watch the full press conference in the video block below.
