Arrest breaks up countywide drug trafficking ring

An Upper Providence man identified in court papers as one of the “main targets” during an investigation of a drug trafficking organization in the Pottstown region has admitted to his role in the operation and awaits his fate from a judge.

Melvin Lee Hunt, 27, of the 700 block of Thornhill Drive, pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court to charges of corrupt organizations, conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and marijuana, persons not to possess firearms and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities in connection with incidents that occurred between May and October 2019.

Judge Thomas C. Branca deferred sentencing so that court officials can complete a background investigation report about Hunt, who will also undergo drug and alcohol evaluations. Hunt was remanded to the county jail without bail to await a sentencing hearing.

Hunt was among more than a dozen people charged last year in connection with the drug trafficking network. Many of the others are still awaiting

court action on various drug-related charges.

“This investigation revealed that the targets of this investigation conspired to sell controlled substances, primarily methamphetamine, in the Pottstown area…,” county detectives and Pottstown police wrote in the arrest affidavit.

“The main targets of this investigation flooded Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, with vast amounts of methamphetamine by employing a network of subdealers who assisted them in distributing methamphetamine to lower-level

traffickers and ultimately the end-user of the drug,” detectives continued.

Authorities alleged the conspirators utilized the U.S. Postal Service, “as well as other clandestine methods to acquire controlled substances,” from one of their sources of drug supply in Long Beach, Calif.

Detectives said methamphetamine is a strong and highly addictive drug that affects the central nervous system and can cause rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure and damage to small blood vessels in the brain. The drug is commonly abused because of

the long-lasting “euphoric effects it produces on the human body,” detectives explained in court papers.

Hunt, detectives alleged, utilized multiple communication platforms to facilitate his drug trafficking enterprise. Hunt communicated with his drug customer base and alleged coconspirators via direct messaging with his Instagram account and his cellphone, according to the arrest affidavit.

The six month investigation involved controlled drug buys, human and electronic surveillance, wiretaps of cellphones, an analysis

of phone call detail records and a review of the targets’ social media accounts, according to court papers. Searches occurred at residences in Pottstown, Franconia Township and Long Beach, Calif.

The investigation resulted in the seizure of more than five pounds of methamphetamine, more than five pounds of marijuana, three handguns and approximately $15,000 in cash, according to the criminal complaint.

Some of the firearms seized were possessed by Hunt, who was prohibited by law, due to previous felony

convictions, from possessing firearms, detectives alleged.

Hunt, authorities alleged, also used multiple vehicles, including his own and numerous rental cars, to carry out his illegal activities.

County detectives and Pottstown police were assisted in the investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, the Pennsylvania State Police, Upper Providence Police and West Pottsgrove Police.