Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Police find drugs during home search
A 34-year-old father was charged with a slew of drug charges after a police search found 20 pounds of methamphetamine, 17 pounds of marijuana, prescription pills and other illegal drug-related items in his Aubrey Circle home.
Police seized the items on June 17 in the home Joseph Morgan III shared with his wife and two young children, ages 3 and 4. Morgan also faces child endangerment charges
The investigation and arrest were conducted by Upper Providence Police, Montgomery County Detectives and the Chester County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas/ Drug Strike Force. The arrest was announced Tuesday by Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan.
“This large bust prevents a serious drug dealer from selling his poison to people in Chester and Montgomery counties,” Ryan said in a press release. Morgan is being held in Chester County Prison after failing to post the $100,000 cash bail set by District Judge John Hipple.
According to the press release, the investigation began last November when the three police agencies “began investigating the defendant’s drug trafficking of cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana.”
The affidavit of probable cause describes the sale of cocaine between Morgan and a confidential informant which took place in a Phoenixville parking lot
When the investigation started, the defendant was living in the Walnut Ridge apartments in Lower Pottsgrove, but Morgan moved to Upper Providence during the course of the investigation. It was at the Upper Providence house “where large quantities of drugs were stored.”
“Detectives learned that the defendant used social media and a cell phone to conduct drug transactions. Investigators arranged to purchase cocaine by texting the defendant’s cell phone,” the release stated.
When the investigators executed a search warrant at the defendant’s home on June 17, police said they found:
• 20 pounds of methamphetamine;
• 17 pounds of marijuana;
• Prescription pills;
• 178 Suboxone strips;
• $4,000 in cash;
• Digital scales and other drug paraphernalia.
“Investigators discovered the drugs in the kitchen and basement next to his children’s toys. The street value of the drugs was estimated at over $100,000,” according to the release.
Ryan said the collaboration between the police agencies “was outstanding, and we thank everyone for bringing this drug peddler to justice. Detectives in both counties had their ears to the ground to take down Joseph Morgan, a man with no regard for
the lives of others, including his own children, who were within reach of where he kept the drugs. Residents
are much safer now that he is off the streets,” Ryan said.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, after being read his Miranda rights, Morgan admitted to acquiring the methamphetamine and marijuana the week before in Philadelphia, as well as a kilo of cocaine he sold prior to his home being searched. Morgan told police it was his intention to sell the drugs for profit and to repay his debt to his Philadelphia supplier, the court document said
Morgan is charged with multiple counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, endangering the welfare of a child, and related charges.
A preliminary hearing is set for July 5.