Four charged in alleged Youngstown heroin ring
Federal investigators accuse four people of using code phrases and words during cell phone conversations as part of a conspiracy to distribute heroin in the Mahoning Valley.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio - Federal investigators accuse four people of using code phrases and words during cell phone conversations as part of a conspiracy to distribute heroin in the Mahoning Valley.
A federal grand jury on Wednesday returned a 29-count indictment charging the four with drug trafficking crimes.
The indictment alleges that Andre L. Duncan, 37, of Brent, Alabama; Morris D. Perry, 37, of Youngstown; Shon D. Rankin, 36, of Youngstown; and Phillip T. Devine, 26, of Leetonia, conspired to possess and distribute heroin.
Federal investigators recorded the suspects during 21 mobile phone conversations between May and August 2014.
According to the indictment, the suspects used code words such as "peoples." "thang thang," "hit," "jacked," "bop," "situation," and "bread" refering to heroin and drug transactions.
Investigators say Duncan supplied heroin to Rankin and Perry, and Perry supplied heroin to Devine for distribution around the Youngstown area.
