Leader of Chester Co. drug ring sentenced (PHOTOS)

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Authorities say Salvador Lemus was at the helm of a major Mexican drug cartel operation in Chester County.

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Leader of Chester Co. drug ring sentenced (PHOTOS)Authorities say Salvador Lemus was at the helm of a major Mexican drug cartel operation in Chester County.

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (WPVI) -- The leader of a drug ring operating in Chester County learned his fate on Thursday.

Salvador Lemus, 67, who previously pleaded guilty to drug and conspiracy charges, was sentenced to 332 to 664 months in prison.

"The Commonwealth believes Judge MacElree's sentence was fair and just, based on the totality of the defendant's extensive crimes," said Asst. District Attorney Kevin Pierce.

Lemus was among the dozens of people who were arrested back in May, 2014.

Prosecutors at the time said the Mexican drug cartel was operating in the county, and that members of the drug operation managed to blend in with the Hispanic community in the area.

Local, state, and federal authorities began their investigation a year prior.

They said Lemus had direct ties to the La Familia drug cartel in Mexico and that he was a major supplier of cocaine in our area.

Investigators say Lemus used a Maryland landscaping business and other enterprises to launder and hide his drug proceeds. The drug empire stretched to Chicago, Charlotte, Houston, and Phoenix.