District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced the arrest of eight individuals in connection with the operation of a major drug trafficking organization in Delaware County. The arrests are the result of the most intensive undercover operation by the County’s Narcotics Task Force (NTF) in years, with tremendous assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Delaware State Police (DSP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The eight individuals arrested as a result of Operation Rat Pack are:
- Baruti Mills, 46, Upland;
- Leo Davis, 47, Chester;
- Gregory Young, 52, Marcus Hook;
- Gregory Council, 63, Downingtown;
- Kareem Bannister, 37, Chester;
- Louis Stillis, 53, Upland;
- Anthony Major, 53, Philadelphia;
- Breon Gethers, 38, Chester.
A ninth individual – Nakia Jeffries, 49, Harrisburg, – has been charged and is currently being sought by authorities. Each defendant has been charged with the operation of a corrupt organization, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy, as well as firearms charges.
In February 2024, members of the NTF and troopers from the DSP began an investigation into the suspected drug trafficking activities of the defendants and their associates. The investigation identified defendant Baruti Mills as the head of the suspected drug trafficking organization. It was determined that Mills arranged for the acquisition of supplies of cocaine from sources in Philadelphia, among other locations. Defendants Bannister and Young were trusted members of the organization who accompanied Mills to Philadelphia where Mills arranged to have members of the organization resupplied with cocaine. In addition, Bannister accompanied Mills to a storage facility in Delaware which was used by Mills to store both cocaine and money.
Beginning in March 2024 and continuing through May 2024, members of the NTF made controlled undercover purchases of cocaine from Young in the City of Chester. In June 2024, pursuant to an order by the Honorable Megan Sullivan, Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, members of the NTF engaged in a series of non-consensual intercepts of the cell phones of the defendants. Through those intercepts it was determined that each of the defendants was actively engaged in the acquisition and sale of cocaine through the network operated by Mills.
On August 13, 2024, members of law enforcement executed search warrants at sixteen locations in Delaware County and the state of Delaware resulting in the seizure of $63,073 in cash, together with:
Vehicles
- 2015 Honda
- 2020 Nissan Maxima
- 2015 Nissan Altima
- 2015 Dodge Challenger
- 2013 BMW
- 2021 Volkswagen Atlas
Weapons:
- SCCY Handgun 9mm
- Glock Gen 5 Model 19 Handgun
- Black Sons Redman 9mm Handgun
- 40 rounds 9mm ammo
Narcotics:
- Cocaine 429.94g
- Marijuana 257g
“Early in my tenure as District Attorney, I resolved to use every investigatory tool available to us to dismantle drug organizations operating in Delaware County. Using techniques such as wiretaps and undercover purchases, we have targeted the corrupt organizations that bring this poison into our communities, not just the individuals who sell it on our street corners. The defendants charged as a result of Operation Rat Pack are drug trade “kingpins” responsible for providing a major share of the illegal narcotics sold in our county.” The work to dismantle this organization has been difficult, tedious, and dangerous, and required an enormous investment of time and money. But I know that by dismantling this organization, we have made Delaware County a safer, healthier place in which to live,” said District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer.
“I want to commend the members of the Delaware County Narcotics Task Force, led by Criminal Investigation Division Sgt. Anthony Ruggeri and Deputy District Attorney Laurie Moore. This success of this operation also relied upon the cooperation and professionalism of numerous law enforcement partners, including the City of Chester Police Department, the Delaware State Police, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency. We are enormously grateful for their skill and their patience.
I would also like to specifically commend the hard work of Captain Matthew Goldschmidt, and officers Timothy Garron and John Benozich of the Chester Police Department, and Trooper Det. Michael Adkins and Trooper Sgt. Matthew Radcliffe of the Delaware State Police, for their efforts in investigating this illegal narcotics operation,” said Stollsteimer.
“I am deeply grateful to all the law enforcement groups involved in this impressive operation, including the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office and the Delaware County Narcotics Task Force, as well as the Delaware State Police, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency. And I am particularly proud of the role that the Chester Police Department played in this operation. This was intensive work that has paid dividends in making the City of Chester and Delaware County a safer community,” said City of Chester Mayor Stefan Roots.
The defendants were arraigned by Judge Michael Culp and bail was set at $500,000 cash. The defendants have been remanded to the George W. Hill Correctional Facility. Their preliminary hearings shave been scheduled for August 28, 2024, at 1:00 pm, before Judge Walter Strohl.
CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND ANY DISCUSSION THEREOF, ARE ALLEGATIONS AND ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNLESS AND UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
The District Attorney and the Criminal Investigations Division remind anyone in Delaware County who observes suspicious activity to call 911 immediately and provide the most specific and accurate details possible to assist law enforcement agencies investigating the call for service.
For press inquiries, please contact Margie McAboy, Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, 610-579-0429.