Jun 18, 2015 2 min read

A Charleroi man was among 34 people charged as part of a Westmoreland County drug investigation.

The suspects are mostly low- to mid-level drug dealers charged with selling heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and illegally obtained prescription pills, among other drugs. The suspects were expected to be apprehended in a Thursday warrant sweep.

Most of the people were from Westmoreland County, but among them was William Berry, 26, of 901 Shady Ave., Charleroi. He is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one count each of criminal conspiracy, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The charges were the result of an investigation conducted by agents with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and other law enforcement agencies also part of the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force.

“This investigation should be a warning to everyone that we will continue to target those who sell illegal drugs,” Attorney General Kathleen Kane said. The warrant sweep was designed to target alleged dealers in several communities stricken by illegal drugs and related crimes. It also was organized after several recent drug overdoses in the western part of the state, agents reported.

The investigation dates to last year and was built in part on a series of controlled purchases by confidential informants and undercover agents. The investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected.