FEDs bust local multimillion dollar heroin ring (Pittsburgh, Wilkinsburg: 2013, violent crime)

[Uptown kid]

FEDs bust multimillion dollar heroin ring led by the UpTown Homestead Crips Gang & their drug trafficking associates!
MULTIMILLION DOLLAR$? Shoot, even I didn't know in the late 2000's that this was possible for an Allegheny County street gang...
Here's the article: http://triblive.com/mobile/3660328-9...ad-gang-heroin

[Moby Hick]

That appears to imply that heroin is worth $1,000,000 a kilo, which seems very high, but maybe I'm reading too much into it. Anyway, the PG story avoids giving a dollar amount, which seems wise.

Homestead heroin ring was target of federal investigation - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[Uptown kid]

Originally Posted by Moby Hick

That appears to imply that heroin is worth $1,000,000 a kilo, which seems very high, but maybe I'm reading too much into it. Anyway, the PG story avoids giving a dollar amount, which seems wise.

Homestead heroin ring was target of federal investigation - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Still albeit most criminal groups will say they move kilos, though in reality they don't... Its actually astonishing in this day in age to move kilos at such a fast pace. That really proves that herion is sadly the dope of choice again... Most of street gangs/low level trafficking rings don't move kilos and their operations aren't close to being worth a $1,000,000+... If the game was so lucrative many wouldn't have to live and die by the gun.
IMO it's good that most of these guys are off the street. Shoot, for along time this group has been involved in Homestead's shootings/homicides/other violent crimes; from as recent as the 2012 shootings at the Charlie Batch Playground to even before the 1996 shootout where Batch's sister was caught in the crossfire.

[Hopes]

Look at all of those names that are just Mr. Last Name.

I'm hoping this is a main supply chain into the region and impacts the suburban supply significantly. The shortage probably won't last for long though. Whoever the dudes from NY and NJ work for will just send new guys with stuff.

Uptown, the game is only lucrative for the top guys. It's like McDonalds. The bottom of the chain makes minimum wage. It's the bottom of the chain that gets shot and does the shooting too. You know the top of that chain isn't even on that list. They're safely in the suburbs somewhere pretending to be businesmen.

[Homewood_Resident-15208]

Originally Posted by Uptown kid

Still albeit most criminal groups will say they move kilos, though in reality they don't... Its actually astonishing in this day in age to move kilos at such a fast pace. That really proves that herion is sadly the dope of choice again... Most of street gangs/low level trafficking rings don't move kilos and their operations aren't close to being worth a $1,000,000+... If the game was so lucrative many wouldn't have to live and die by the gun.
IMO it's good that most of these guys are off the street. Shoot, for along time this group has been involved in Homestead's shootings/homicides/other violent crimes; from as recent as the 2012 shootings at the Charlie Batch Playground to even before the 1996 shootout where Batch's sister was caught in the crossfire.

First off, let me state that I don't agree with the crimes these individuals are being charged with. I did live in Homestead for a few years around the time Danielle Settles was gunned down in the park. I also stayed in contact with some of the people caught in this " MAJOR" bust. I can say that the people being on these criminal charges didn't have anything to do with the shooting of Ms. Settles. As majority of them the accused we're not even past 3 or 6 grade. As for the recent crimes when you have drug issue you have an Major crime issue. I do think the Local Agencies are inflating the seizure a bit IMO of course I know just as much as everyone not involved.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Homewood_Resident-15208

First off, let me state that I don't agree with the crimes these individuals are being charged with.

What do you mean you don't agree with the charges?

[Hopes]

Here's a different article that states a kilo every three weeks came from Newark, NJ.

HOMESTEAD, Pa.: FBI bust's alleged Pittsburgh-area heroin gang | Latest news | CentreDaily.com

[Hopes]

And the Tribune article provides more details.

Christman said 1 kilogram of heroin is valued anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million.

Read more: Homestead heroin bust yields 30 arrests | TribLIVE

[Hopes]

They have wire taps, text messages, etc.

They're still looking for these people:

Police are still looking for: Richard Wood, 33, of Swissvale; Seth Lindsey, 18, of Homestead; Dorianne Harris, 20, of Wilkinsburg; and Edward Cook, 25, of Homestead.

Read more: Indictments 'dismantle' Homestead drug ring - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[Clint.]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Look at all of those names that are just Mr. Last Name.

I'm hoping this is a main supply chain into the region and impacts the suburban supply significantly. The shortage probably won't last for long though. Whoever the dudes from NY and NJ work for will just send new guys with stuff.

Uptown, the game is only lucrative for the top guys. It's like McDonalds. The bottom of the chain makes minimum wage. It's the bottom of the chain that gets shot and does the shooting too. You know the top of that chain isn't even on that list. They're safely in the suburbs somewhere pretending to be businesmen.

Very true. And if a temporary shortage - and it will be temporary - causes a price spike then addicts will turn to crime to gain the money needed to buy what is available. Or they'll substitute legal prescription benzos and methadone. These "victories" occur now and then but always prove to be hollow.