Donora pair charged in Homeland Security fentanyl investigation
ROSTRAVER – A Donora man and woman were arrested Thursday as a result of a Homeland Security investigation into the delivery of fentanyl through the mail.
State police, who also participated in the case, took Christian Bennett Drennan, 37, and Tiffany Jean Beistel, 36, into custody following a traffic stop in Rostraver Township, after the pair picked up a controlled delivery of 19 grams of the drug to an address in Allegheny County, court records allege.
Investigators also discovered a marijuana-growing operation and five pounds of that drug when they served a search warrant on 2700 Scenery Drive, Elizabeth, the address where the fentanyl was delivered with cooperation of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the affidavit states.
After the package was picked up, police followed the pair to a Sheetz along Route 51 at Fellsburg Road in Rostraver, where the package was opened in their vehicle, court records indicate.
State police decided to pull over their vehicle a short distance to the south at a Shop ‘n Save on Route 51.
Beistel and Drennan, who both reside at 215 S. Mellon Ave., are charged with two counts each of drug possession with intent to deliver, and one count each of drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.
District Judge Charles Christner sent the suspects to Westmoreland County jail Friday, each on $25,000 bond.