Several people from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for their participation in a large-scale drug trafficking organization. 

19 individuals, including 51-year-old Frank Christian from Youngstown, and 10 individuals from New Castle are facing charges of conspiring to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute drugs from August 2023 to August 2024 including; 

• 400 grams or more of fentanyl 

• Five or more kilograms of cocaine 

• 100 grams or more of heroin 

• A quantity of oxycodone 

According to a press release, the defendants operated a drug trafficking organization based in Detroit and New Castle that was responsible for the acquisition of kilograms of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine, including in the form of crack, as well as other controlled substances such as oxycodone, via interstate sources of supply.

The drug trafficking organization distributed those drugs to other dealers throughout and beyond Western Pennsylvania, and regularly travelled back and forth between New Castle and Detroit to obtain illicit drugs. 

A number of the defendants have extensive criminal records, some stretching back more than three decades, including prior felony drug-
trafficking and firearms convictions.

According to a press release, agents used confidential sources and informants, extensive surveillance and analysis of phone records, controlled purchases of drugs, search warrants, and court-authorized wiretaps from May 2024 to the present to gather evidence in an effort to ascertain the scope of the illegal drug activities.

Intercepted wiretap calls and text messages revealed that several members of the drug trafficking organization in Detroit recruited individuals to work at drug processing and distribution locations in New Castle.

Officers say the drug trafficking organization consistently distributed large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl/oxycodone pills.

If convicted, the defendants could face 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both.