-from timesleader.com-

By Terrie Morgan-Besecker

EDWARDSVILLE – Fourteen confirmed members of the “Bloods” street gang were among 34 defendants who were charged Monday in a drug bust stemming from a nearly yearlong investigation at the Eagle Ridge subsidized housing complex on Bertram Court.

Undercover officers and confidential informants made multiple purchases of cocaine from an apartment that was inhabited by two confidential informants, according to state Attorney General Tom Corbett. Information from the informants also led to purchases of narcotics from other locations, including C Majors bar in Edwardsville.

C Majors was the site of a nonfatal, drug-related shooting in February. One of the defendants charged Monday, Anwar “G” Taylor, was already in custody on charges related to that crime, Corbett said.

As of late Monday afternoon, 29 of the 34 suspects had been apprehended.

Authorities said Anwar Taylor was one of the leaders of the drug operation, along with Elijah “Eyez” Taylor, Ricardo “Rico” Polanco and Jared “Jade” Durrette. All are confirmed members of the “Bloods,” authorities said.

A statewide grand jury investigating the operation determined the men and 30 co-defendants sold more than 65 grams of cocaine valued at around $8,500 to informants and undercover officers working with the Luzerne County Drug Task Force. Officers from Kingston, Pittston, Hanover Township, Swoyersville and the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotic Investigation took part in the drug buys.

Speaking at a press conference Monday morning, Corbett said the arrests are further evidence of the proliferation within the region of gang members, who come here to sell drugs because they believe the area is an easy mark.

“They think law enforcement is not equipped to handle them. These people are pretty surprised today,” Corbett said.

Edwardsville Police Chief Michael Slusark said the investigation began in July, after he received multiple complaints from residents regarding increased crime in the borough.

Slusark said he sought help from the Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, which coordinated the investigation along with the drug task force.

“They never knew we were coming. I believe we made a statement today: If you come to Edwardsville to deal drugs you are going to be arrested,” Slusark said.

Under an arrangement with the apartment complex, which is privately owned, police stationed two confidential informants in an apartment for approximately five months. More than 24 grams of cocaine were purchased on 12 occasions inside the apartment, authorities said.

Frank Noonan, regional director of the Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, said the informants also provided information that enabled officers to make additional purchases of narcotics. He said roughly half of Monday’s arrests were directly attributed to information they provided.

“That was the key to getting into all the people, to have someone in the community that could point things out to us,” he said.

Approximately 15 grams of cocaine were purchased on nine occasions from C Majors.

The bar, located on Main Street, is still open. Brian Langan of the state police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement said the agency is investigating whether the bar’s owners could be cited for aiding or abetting drug activity – an offense that calls for a fine of $1,000-$5,000 and could result in the suspension or revocation of the liquor license.

Authorities have filed charges against 34 people accused of participating in a cocaine distribution network. As of Monday, 29 of the defendants had been apprehended and arraigned.

The following is list of the defendants.

• Shawn “Shawn-Jon” Johnson 35, of Wilkes-Barre, is charged with conspiracy to deliver cocaine. All other defendants are charged with possession, possession with intent to deliver and delivery of cocaine. Defendants whose names are in bold are confirmed members of the Bloods gang.

• Ricardo “Rico” Polanco, 26, of Main Street, Edwardsville.

• Sinard “Nardi” Ballard, 20, of Jackson Street, Edwardsville.

• Jared “Jade” Durrette, 22, of Main Street, Kingston:

• Rashon Spear, 24, of Price Street, Kingston:

• Elijah “Eyez” Taylor, 23, of Hanover Village apartments, Hanover Township.

• Malachi “Stizzy” Bennett, 19, no known address.

• Alphonso “Fonzi” Wyche, 49, of Roosevelt Street, Edwardsville.

• Matthew “Cheese” Alston, 24, of Roosevelt Street, Edwardsville.

• Herbert L. “Herb” Seabrooks, 39, of Church Street, Edwardsville.

• Anwar “G” Taylor, 25, of South Sherman Street, Wilkes-Barre.

• Paul “Slick Shirt” Gaskin, 25, of Main Street, Edwardsville.

• Donald “Rome” Warren, 25, of Mark Drive, Hanover Township.

• Jason “Young Boy” Holmes, 21, of Jackson Street, Edwardsville.

• Jeff “J-Lip” Kelley, 41, of Wyoming Avenue, Kingston:

• Ernest “Big Earn” Taylor, 45, of Zerby Avenue, Kingston.

• Janie Seay, 22, of Wilson Street, Larksville.

• Joseph “Smokin Joe” Strish, 47, of Orchard Street, Larksville.

• Venice “Dee” Saxton, 25, of West Market Street, Kingston

• Robert “EE” Brennan, 39, of Roosevelt Street, Edwardsville.

• Larry “Jazz” Woodson, 44, Roosevelt Street, Edwardsville.

• Qadriyyah J. “Qua” Hutcherson, 29, of Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre.

• Muhammed “Worm” Bilal Raquib, 24, of Madison Street, Wilkes-Barre.

• Eddie “Fast Eddie” Rock Martinez, 39, of Bertram Court, Edwardsville.

• Dominic “Gaylord” or “Domino” Faulks, 43, of Roosevelt Street, Edwardsville.

• Joseph “Cook” Coolbaugh, 39, of West Market Street, Kingston.

• Robert “B-Rob” Thompson, 48, of Bertram Court, Edwardsville.

• Michelle “Lexy” Vandermark, 24, of Center Street, Pittston.

• Courtney “Fish” Fisher, 26, of Center Street, Pittston.

• Rasheed “Sheed” Johnson, 24, of Beverly Drive, Edwardsville.

• Three defendants known only by their street names.

• A 16-year-old juvenile whom police did not identify.