CHARGES FILED AGAINST NINE PEOPLE ACCUSED OF OPERATING DRUG DISTRIBUTION WAREHOUSES IN WESTMORELAND AND ALLEGHENY COUNTIES

Charges were filed Thursday in Westmoreland County Court against nine people who authorities say operated three drug distribution warehouses in Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties to dispense THC-laced products through vape shops and other businesses in the region.  The Trib reports that investigators said in a grand jury presentment schoolchildren throughout Pennsylvania were found in possession of illegal narcotics purchased in local vape shops, including one in Mt. Pleasant and another in Gibsonia.Three of those charged Thursday were from Western Pennsylvania, Divyesh Patel,and Palak K. Patel, both of Cranberry and Albina Kumar of Pittsburgh.  Others arraigned include: Madhav Patel, Nira A. Patel both from Lackawanna County; Ankitkumar R. Patel of Bucks County; and Dharmeskumar S. Patel of Bucks County.  Ketankumar I. Patel of Bensalem and  Roshniben A. Patel of Huntingdon Valley.