Arrests break up drug ring in county

served search warrants at locations frequented by Beasley and Watson — in an apartment in Mount Oliver, an apartment in Munhall and a house in Homestead.

During the search in Mount Oliver, according to the presentment, they found seven cell phones, documents associated with Beasley, drug packaging and processing materials, a blender attachment with drug residue and a loaded firearm magazine.

They found similar items at both other locations, including a loaded handgun and marijuana.

When Wells was arrested on an outstanding warrant Oct. 5, he had 150 bags of suspected heroin and fentanyl on him, police said, as well as cocaine and a handgun. He was released the next day from two separate cases with $5,000 bail on each.

Sanders and Williams were arrested Thursday. Beasley and Watson were previously incarcerated in the Allegheny County Jail, while Wells and Wolford remained at large.

At a news conference Thursday, Lt. Korczyk said that after an analysis revealed there was carfentanil in the purchases, arrests were made even though other suspects still remain at large in Allegheny County.

“We felt that this was too much of a danger to the community to go on,” Lt. Korczyk said. “I’ve been in the business since 1982 and it’s worse than it’s ever been.”

Lt. Korczyk said police are looking at carfentanil-related overdoses in the region to see whether the deaths were linked to the dealers. He said he was surprised to find carfentanil available on the streets. “It’s the first time in Western Pennsylvania.”