‘Major’ drug dealer sent to prison
NORRISTOWN >> A Philadelphia man who was apprehended in Cheltenham Township in January after a search of his car revealed a pound of crystal methamphetamine packaged for sale was sent to prison after he admitted to drug and weapons charges. Larry Lamar “Gunna” Hudson, 28, of the 200 block of Sparks Street, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to 10 to 20 years in a state correctional facility after he pleaded guilty to charges of possession of a prohibited firearm and possession
“Drugs and guns, it’s well-known, go together. There is violence that surrounds drug dealing.” — Montgomery County Prosecutor Roderick Fancher III
with intent to deliver controlled substances in connection with incidents that occurred between November 2020 and Jan. 12, 2021.
Judge Cheryl L. Austin imposed the sentence as part of a plea agreement.
The charges were filed by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General but the case was prosecuted by county Assistant District Attorney Roderick Fancher III.
“He was a significantlevel drug dealer. Drugs and guns, it’s well-known, go together. There is violence that surrounds drug dealing. A significant state prison sentence is necessary,” Fancher said on Wednesday, explaining the reasons for seeking a lengthy prison sentence against Hudson.
“He dealt in pound quantities. He was a major dealer in the area,” Fancher added. “We got a dangerous person off the streets and the attorney general’s office did a fantastic job in their investigation.”
Other charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia were dismissed against Hudson as part of the plea agreement.
Defense lawyer Jonathan R. Altschuler represented Hudson.
Hudson was arrested without incident on Jan. 12 on a parking lot in the 7600 block of Washington Lane in the Wyncote section of Cheltenham, according to court papers. A search of Hudson’s red Ford Taurus revealed a pound of crystal methamphetamine for sale, authorities alleged.
A subsequent search of Hudson’s home in Philadelphia uncovered additional pounds of crystal methamphetamine, valued at nearly $200K, and nine guns, including, two long guns, one shot gun and six hands guns. Authorities said Hudson is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The amount of crystal methamphetamine seized would have produced 1,900 individual packets for sale, authorities alleged.
The arrest and seizure was a result of a monthslong investigation by the Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations.
The investigation of Hudson began last year after authorities learned that Hudson allegedly “was obtaining significant quantities of methamphetamine and from an unknown source of supply,” according to a criminal complaint.
“Additionally, it was determined that the defendant was selling quantities of methamphetamine in the Montgomery and Philadelphia County areas,” narcotics agents with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General wrote in the arrest affidavit.
An informant allegedly claimed to have made weekly purchases of methamphetamine, at $5,600 per pound, from Hudson over six months, according to the criminal complaint.
The investigation, according to court papers, included controlled buys of methamphetamine and court-approved wiretaps of Hudson’s phone conversations. Subsequently, authorities developed information that Hudson was in possession of a large quantity of methamphetamine and was going to sell it on Jan. 12 at a location in Cheltenham, according to the arrest affidavit. Authorities placed Hudson under surveillance and he was taken into custody at the Washington Lane location in Wyncote.
Hudson allegedly provided detectives a statement indicating two- to threepounds of methamphetamine, approximately eight firearms and about $60,000 cash were at his home.
“He also stated that prior to being taken into custody he was on his way to sell one pound of methamphetamine for $4,700, which is located inside his red Ford Taurus…,” state agents alleged in the criminal complaint.
Authorities subsequently obtained warrants to search Hudson’s vehicle and residence where they seized the methamphetamine and a clear bag containing 431 packets of alleged heroin each stamped “New High Score Ultimate Level,” guns and drug packaging materials, according to court documents.
Investigators also seized $56,585 in assorted shoe boxes found in the bedroom of Hudson’s residence, the arrest affidavit indicated.
The Philadelphia Police Department, Cheltenham Township Police Department, and agents from the Office of Attorney General’s Gun Violence Task Force assisted in the Jan. 12 arrest and raid.