Pittsburgh man pleads guilty to running meth pill-pressing operation
A Pittsburgh man has pleaded guilty to federal charges that he ran a methamphetamine pill pressing operation.
Zachery Hyde, 27, pleaded guilty of one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and other related charges.
Investigators say Hyde obtained large quantities of methamphetamine in a variety of ways, including ordering the drug over the internet and having it shipped to the Pittsburgh area from out of the country.
Hyde used a location in McKees Rocks to press the methamphetamine into pill form for distribution, according to authorities.
On December 7, 2017, the Western District of Pennsylvania FBI Opioid Task Force executed a search warrant at a location in McKees Rocks when Hyde and others were present.
FBI agents recovered approximately 447 grams of a mixture of methamphetamine, pill pressing material, drug paraphernalia and shipping boxes.
A large hydraulic pill press used in the operation was seized at a later date. As part of his guilty plea, Hyde agreed to forfeit the pill press.
Tony LaRussa is a TribLive reporter. A Pittsburgh native, he covers crime and courts in the Alle-Kiski Valley. He can be reached at tlarussa@triblive.com.
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