The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office announced the arrest of four men who allegedly transported millions of dollars in cocaine and methamphetamine from California to Pennsylvania.
At a press conference, District Attorney Jen Schorn identified Matthew James Byrne, 43, of Broomall; Joseph Byrne, 47, of Levittown; Khalik Kemp, 34, of Philadelphia; and Christian Garwood, 55, of Flourtown, as members of the “Byrne Drug Trafficking Organization.”
According to investigators, the crew, reportedly commanded by Matthew Byrne, transported more than $5 million in narcotics from coast to coast. Investigators claim they utilized objects such as speakers to conceal the drugs when they were transported via mail service.
“The drug trafficking organization would ship roughly in each shipment approximately 25 to 30 pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine by hiding them inside of large karaoke style Bluetooth speakers,” Schorn told CNN on Wednesday.
According to investigators, Matthew Byrne has been traveling to Southern California at least twice a month since January, spending two to three days buying cocaine and methamphetamine from drug brokers with Mexican links.
He then allegedly shipped the pills to his brother’s home on Gable Hill Road in Bristol, Bucks County, as well as another property in Flourtown, Montgomery County.
“Those shipments would be received by their counterparts in Bucks and Montgomery counties and would later be prepared for distribution to individuals in our community,” Schorn informed us.
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During the inquiry, three parcels were intercepted at a USPS facility in Louisville, Kentucky.
Authorities stated roughly $1.2 million worth of narcotics were discovered concealed in speakers.
Investigators claimed they tracked 12 shipments to locations in Bristol Township and Montgomery County, alleging they included hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of pharmaceuticals intended for street distribution.
“We can connect the dots,” Schorn added. “These drugs were getting into the hands of users shortly after being prepped for distribution in Bucks County and Montgomery County.”
On Monday, all four of the accused, who live in Pennsylvania, were charged with several offenses, including corrupt organizations and possession with intent to distribute a prohibited narcotic.
Two additional males from California, Ralph Brooks, 42, of Los Angeles, and Chaz Harness-Walker, 40, of Inglewood, were also charged.
However, they have yet to be arrested.
Authorities stated that the probe, which comprised state, municipal, and federal authorities from numerous jurisdictions, was still ongoing as investigators tried to determine the full nature of the operation.
Spiros Karabinas, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Philadelphia, stated that the investigation’s findings served as a reminder to bad actors that drug enforcement is a top priority.
“We will continue to work vigorously to prevent them from being trafficked, distributed and ultimately sold throughout our communities,” according to Karabinas.
All four Pennsylvania suspects were committed to the Bucks County Correctional Facility with bail ranging from $1 million to $5 million.