A Franklin man pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges resulting from an investigation by the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady.

Brian Salaj, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. Salaj was one of 37 defendants charged in an indictment connected to the task force investigation.

Brady’s office said the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force launched an investigation into the neighborhood gang Darccide/Smash 44 or DS44 in 2017, looking into suspected drug-trafficking activity around the South Side.

Intercepted communications showed that Salaj acted as a middleman who bought large quantities of narcotics and then distributed them to other customers. Salaj was responsible for the distribution of 15 grams of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, Brady’s office said.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 2.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)