More than 40 people were arrested on state and local charges during a raid that began near 3rd and Main streets in Darby Borough at about 6:00 a.m.
There, borough, state and federal authorities executed as many as 90 warrants for drug and weapons offenses.
These raids capped a 17-month investigation that has now seen more than 250 arrested.
Of the 12 indicted so far, six were arrested during the Thursday morning sweep. A seventh was arrested later in the day and an eighth is expected to turn himself in. The remaining four were already in prison.
The 12 indicted were named in a 54 count indictment from the U.S. Attorney's Office that alleged they conspired to distribute crack from 2007 through 2010 in the area.
Authorities describe them as the "ringleaders" of the TSBCCO.
Investigators say the TSBCCO used violence and threats to control its territory along North 3rd Street in Darby.
Furthermore, the 12 are also charged with dealing crack within 1,000 feet of a playground or school - specifically the Children's Garden Daycare Center at 301 North 3rd Street, Today's Learning Center at 328 Main Street, Penn Wood Middle School at 121 Summit Street in Darby and William Harrity Elementary School at 5601 Christian Street in Philadelphia.
Police say the 'organization' even used children to transport and sell the drugs.
"This group was a significant threat to the community," said United States Attorney Zane David Memeger in a statement. "We want to help the residents of Darby Borough take back their community."
In addition to the drug trafficking charges, the indictment alleges that the TSBCCO stashed guns in various locations where they would be easily accessible to members of the group in the event of a clash with a rival drug dealer.
Those indicted are:
Allen Watters (approx. 30 years old)
Jabaar McCray (approx. 28 years old)
Reginald Brown (approx. 30 years old)
Kile Lowman (approx. 27 years old)
Kurtis Martin (approx. 22 years old)
Wendall Parks (approx. 30 years old)
Tracey Serrano (approx. 23 years old)
Jamaal Burton (approx. 27 years old)
Jameel Burton (approx. 27 years old)
Steve Jonque (approx 20 years old)
Emanuel Rogers (approx. 20 years old)
Gregory Graham (approx. 26 years old)
If convicted of all charges, each suspect faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years.
