Mother, son among those arrested during Moon Twp. undercover drug investigation

MOON, Pa. — A lengthy undercover drug investigation has led to the arrest of a Moon Township mother and son and an Ambridge man, authorities said.

According to police, Pamela Smallis, 48, her son, Richard Smallis, 19, and John Peter Banes, 45, were arrested and face several charges relating to drug distribution.

Authorities said Pamela Smallis met with an undercover agent and arranged to sell him marijuana and prescription pills. She delivered the drugs on five different occasions from November through December.

According to police, Smallis often had juveniles with her during drug sales and on one occasion sent the informant to her home where a juvenile sold the drugs.

“At one of the drug buys she actually encouraged one of her two teenage children to meet with a confidential informant within their home and sell the informant marijuana and prescription medications,” Moon Township police officer Leo McCarthy said.

Officials said that child is being charged in the case as well, as a juvenile.

Banes is accused of supplying some of the drugs to Smallis, officials said.

The Smallises remain in a local jail and Banes has been released, officials said.

The Moon Township Police and the Office of the Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation Task Force said they want anyone with any information on the involved suspects to contact them.

WPXI