Police seize 13,000 packets of heroin in Troy Hill house drug bust

Police arrested a North Side man after seizing more than 13,000 small packets of heroin, ecstasy pills and a large amount of cash from a house in Pittsburgh’s Troy Hill neighborhood, officials said Friday.

Detectives from the bureau’s drug trafficking squad served a search warrant at about 11 a.m. Thursday at the residence on Lowrie Street between Rialto and Sundeman streets, Pittsburgh Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz said.

The long-term investigation was spurred by neighbors filing complaints and saying they suspected drug deals were happening there, Cruz said.

Inside the home, police found 13,000 stamp bags filled with heroin as well as a 9mm pistol, Percocet pills, ecstasy and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Aaron Gale, 26, of the city’s North Side, was arrested after the search. He is set to face federal drug trafficking charges, Cruz said.

After taking him into custody, detectives searched a second North Side location and found more heroin and a large bag of cocaine, Cruz said.

Officials thanked North Side community members for being vigilant and assisting investigators.

Residents can report any suspicious or illegal activity to 911 or 311.