NORRISTOWN, Pa. – Authorities in Montgomery County say an extensive investigation has led to the arrests of nearly three dozen people suspected of taking part in several drug trafficking organizations operating in the Norristown area.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele and Norristown Acting Police Chief James Angelucci announced criminal charges against 35 defendants following an extensive, months-long investigation that dismantled three large-scale drug trafficking groups.
Authorities say the groups flooded Montgomery County and surrounding areas with cocaine and crack cocaine. To date, 28 defendants have been arrested.
The investigation, named “Operation Cocaine Goldmine,” began in late 2024 when officials say opioid and fentanyl use was declining and cocaine and crack cocaine were experiencing a resurgence, due in part to a dramatic decline in wholesale cocaine prices.
According to officials, this decline in wholesale cocaine prices in the last few years represents a fundamental shift in the Norristown drug market, making large quantities of the drug more accessible to bulk cocaine traffickers, mid-level sources of supply and street-level drug dealers.
Throughout 2024 and into 2025, the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, with assistance from the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA Group 32–Philadelphia), FBI Bucks/Montco Safe Streets Task Force, the Montgomery County Drug Task Force and Norristown Police, conducted multiple investigations targeting powder and crack cocaine distribution networks in Norristown.
The investigations led to the identification of intertwined networks of individuals who authorities believe are most responsible for the trafficking of bulk quantities of cocaine into Montgomery County. The cocaine is broken down into smaller quantities and distributed to sub-dealers, with portions of the cocaine cooked into crack cocaine and sold.
The investigation used electronic surveillance, confidential informants, controlled drug buys, GPS tracking and fixed and stationary surveillance methods to dismantle the drug trafficking groups.
Through the investigation, law enforcement seized seven pounds (three kilos) of cocaine and crack cocaine, more than $138,000 in U.S. currency, 17 firearms, and additional evidence of drug trafficking activities.
“The arrests of these cocaine and crack drug traffickers, sub-dealers and street-level dealers will make a positive impact on the lives of law-abiding citizens in Norristown,” said DA Steele. “This takedown, coupled with our recent arrests of several warring factions of teenagers and young adults that were shooting at each other and in one case, killed a rival, is a concerted effort to rid Norristown of this criminal element that will not be tolerated in our county seat. I want to thank our state and federal partners for their ongoing assistance, especially the Attorney General’s Office.”
Among those arrested are the leaders of the three drug trafficking organizations:
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Terrell Bailey, 50, Norristown.
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Jerome Berry, 32, Norristown
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Malik Noel, 49, Philadelphia
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Oscar Gordon, 37, Norristown
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Donta Wells, 40, Norristown
Also charged in the case are:
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Barry Bennett, 23, Philadelphia
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Arionna Coles, 33, Norristown
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Leah Davis, 34, Norristown
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Corneilus Darden, 51, Norristown
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Jordan Franklin, 28, Lansdowne
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James Gray, 59, Elkins Park
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Place Hunter, 54, Norristown
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Leah Jenkins, 27, Norristown
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Jermaine Jones, 50, Philadelphia
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Douglas Marshall, 59, Upper Darby
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Joel Miner, 55, Norristown
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Lamont Randall, 43, Norristown
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Kayson Stewart, 34, Norristown
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Arsenio Tensley, 38, Norristown
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Latoya King, 39, Wayne
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Nijarea King, 36, King of Prussia
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Husayn Lyons, 43, Norristown
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Paul Madonna, 61, Norristown
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He snuffed out mon white-fuqua, 31, Norristown,
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Andrew Haskell, 48, Bridgeport
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Gary Lyles, 71, Norristown
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Virginia Weigner, 51, Norristown
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Randy Williams, 37, Eagleville
Arrest warrants have been issued for seven additional defendants: Denise Baird, Darnell Cotton, Tyya Griffin, Tyleek Lee, Michael Taylor, Curtis Thomas and Cori Wagner.
The charges for each defendant vary, but include corrupt organizations, conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver, criminal use of a communications facility and other charges.
The defendants’ preliminary hearings are all before Magisterial District Judge Patrick O. Krouse, with varying dates and times. (See dockets for specific charges for each defendant and preliminary hearing specifics.)