9 Charged In Local $2.5M Cocaine Ring

PITTSBURGH,None — Nine drug dealing suspects were charged Thursday following an investigation into the distribution of cocaine throughout at least three Pittsburgh-area counties.

VIDEO: 9 Charged In Local $2.5M Cocaine Ring

Acting Attorney General Bill Ryan said the investigation began in 2009 and focused on the alleged cocaine trafficking activities of Tyler Dunlap, of Harmony, Butler County.

Police said Dunlap, Thomas Parker, and seven other suspected dealers operated as a loosely knit group and distributed drugs in Butler, Beaver and Allegheny counties.

Agents estimate that the group is responsible for distributing more than 90 kilos of cocaine with an estimated street value of $2.5 million.

Over the course of the investigation, agents and local police said they made and arranged a series of undercover purchases totaling more than 1 kilo of cocaine.

Below is a list of the defendants and the charges against them.

• Michael Dapice, 51, of Pittsburgh, is charged with two counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, two counts of delivery of cocaine, two counts of possession of cocaine, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

• Stephen Day, 28, of McKees Rocks, is charged with two counts of possession of cocaine, two counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, two counts of delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

• Tyler Dunlap, 30, of Harmony, Butler County, is charged with six counts of possession of cocaine, six counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, six counts of delivery of cocaine, one count possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

• Luke Frawley, 33, of Pittsburgh, is charged with five counts of possession of heroin/cocaine, five counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin/cocaine, three counts of delivery of heroin/cocaine, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

• Thomas Frost, 30, of Pittsburgh, is charged with one count each of possession of heroin/cocaine, possession with the intent to deliver heroin/cocaine, delivery of heroin/cocaine and criminal conspiracy.

• Edward Kish, 38, of Pittsburgh, is charged with six counts of possession of cocaine, six counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, five counts of delivery of cocaine, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

• Ashley Kunich, 28, of Baden, Beaver County, is charged with six counts of possession of cocaine, six counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, five counts of delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal conspiracy.

• Thomas Parker, 33, of Pittsburgh, is charged with one count each of possession of cocaine, possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, delivery of cocaine and criminal use of a communication facility.

• Shawn Williams, 39, of Natrona Heights, is charged with two counts of possession of cocaine, two counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, two counts of delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

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