Police confiscate guns, cash during meth bust in Delaware County

UPPER DARBY (WPVI) -- A barber shop and two homes in Delaware County were raided as officials busted a methamphetamine ring over the weekend.

The investigation began after several complaints from people in the neighborhood where this alleged drug ring was taking place.

In all, five people were arrested and two major drug operations were shut down.

During the raids, Upper Darby police confiscated methamphetamine, which they say is making a resurgence in the township.

They also found guns and thousands of dollars in cash.

"The problem that I am seeing now is meth is starting to raise its ugly head. For years it's been heroin, heroin, heroin," said Mike Chitwood, Upper Darby Police Superintendent.

Chitwood says Michael Marturano headed one operation.

"Marturano is a known member of the Warlock motorcycle gang. He tattooed his colors all over his back," says Chitwood.

Those who know him tell Action News he learned to cut hair while in prison. Once out, he opened Marturano's Barbershop in Drexel Hill, except police say it was mainly used to deal meth.

A raid of the barbershop on the 800 block of Concord Road and his State Road apartment allegedly turned up guns, bags of meth and piles of cash.

John McCauley allegedly ran the second operation. Police say McCauley, Charles Halfpenny and Margaret Guinen were cutting the drugs up when authorities burst thru the apartment door on the 3800 block of Berkley.

A closer look at a hollow clock in the apartment uncovered bags and bags of meth - a drug that unlike heroin Chitwood says can often lead to violent crime.

"The frightening thing about meth is that it not only destroys them physically and mentally but it also makes the nuts and whacky," he said.

Chitwood say two motorcycles were also confiscated during the raids and police are checking to see if either of them were stolen.

The investigation is ongoing.