6 arrested on crack cocaine, heroin charges in McKeesport

Authorities seized more than $147,000 worth of cocaine, as well as crack cocaine, heroin and three guns last week during a drug raid that netted seven people allegedly involved in a major drug trafficking ring in McKeesport, as well as illegal gambling in McKeesport, the state attorney general said.

Curtis Harper Jr., 52, of McKeesport, whom the Attorney General’s Office accuses of being the ringleader, was charged on Dec. 30 with multiple counts of participating in a drug trafficking operation, drug possession, receiving money from the illegal operations and bookmaking. Harper was released from the Allegheny County Jail on $30,000 bond, pending a preliminary hearing set for Monday, Jan. 9.

The agents said they confiscated 16 grams of crack cocaine worth $1,600 and 8.5 grams of heroin with a street value of $1,700.

The Attorney General’s Office announced the arrests on Thursday, Jan. 5.

Also arrested were the following suspects, all of whom face preliminary hearings before a district judge on Jan. 23.

Four face identical charges, participating in a corrupt organization, drug possession and drug delivery:

• Robert McLean, 59, of McKeesport;

• Earl McClinton, 30, of McKeesport;

• Ramone Williams, 38, of East Pittsburgh.

• Isaiah Warren, 53, of Pittsburgh. Warren also faces a conspiracy charge.

McLean, McClinton and Williams were in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bond.

Two others are charged with drug possession and possession with intent to deliver. They were released on non-monetary bond.

• Corry Sanders, 52, of McKeesport;

• Kaleb Howard, 33, of Wilmerding.

The arrests resulted from an 11-month investigation conducted by the state’s Narcotics Investigation and Gaming Unit bureau, the Attorney General’s Office said.

The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Narcotics Enforcement Team, along with police from McKeesport, White Oak and North Huntingdon, were involved in the investigation, according to the AG’s office.