FBI, Pittsburgh police announce bust of large local fentanyl distribution ring

PITTSBURGH — More than two dozen people were charged in connection with a fentanyl distribution ring stretching across Pittsburgh’s eastern neighborhoods and into Wilkinsburg, according to FBI and local police officials.

Called the “Shot Boyz,” 25 people were charged, according to police. A 26th person, Keith Redman, was also charged with one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition. He is associated with the street gang, but police said he was indicted separately.

U.S. Attorney Scott Brady said drug trafficking is not a non-violent crime. He said there are turf wars, shootings, home invasions and homicides that go hand in hand with drug trafficking. Brady said law enforcement has been going zone by zone and neighborhood by neighborhood to take out street gangs, drug rings and violent offenders.

Brady said 30% of all shots fired calls in the City of Pittsburgh come from Zone 5. The gang operated from the East Hills, Homewood and Wilkinsburg all the way to Latrobe. Brady said agencies are seeing the drugs come into the area from places like Philadelphia, Detroit, Cleveland, Akron and Youngstown as well as drug cartels in Mexico such as the Sinaloa Cartel.

The investigation was a five month wiretap investigation, according to law enforcement. Heroin, crack cocaine, and fentanyl were seized along with guns and money during the operation.

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FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Christman called the operation a significant, coordinated effort from federal, state and local officials.

“The ‘Shot Boyz’ street gang and its associates flooded our streets with narcotics with no regard for human life,” Christman said.

The operation to bust the ring included the FBI, ATF, Pittsburgh Police, Latrobe Police, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Munhall Police, Wilkinsburg Police, Monroeville Police and Penn Hills Police among other agencies.

Contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration if you need help for drug addiction at 1-800-662-4357

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