The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General narcotics agents seized 41 firearms in southwestern Pennsylvania in January. The total seized in the region for the year is 48.
The majority of the seizures happened outside of Pittsburgh. The two largest seizures were in Fayette and Somerset counties, and the cases are ongoing investigations.
In addition, agents seized a pound of crack cocaine, more than 12 pounds of cocaine, and more than 63,000 doses of fentanyl, along with quantities of heroin and marijuana. Nine people have been arrested in connection with approximately 20 cases involving illegally-possessed firearms.
“These numbers are rewarding as they show the progress our team, along with partners at all levels, are making in efforts to remove firearms from the hands of drug traffickers,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said at a press conference on Monday. “They also serve as indicators of the firepower our brave officers encounter when they enter a home with a warrant, or make a traffic stop, in efforts to keep communities safe. To traffickers, we say: we are not deterred.”
Pennsylvania’s Region 5 includes Allegheny, Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties.
The Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation conducted the seizures
assisted by federal, state, and local partners.