The eight people arrested 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.
Nakia Jeffries, 49, of Harrisburg, is also facing charges and is currently being sought by police, officials said.
Each person is charged with the operation of a corrupt organization, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy, as well as firearms charges.
District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said Operation "Rat Pack" was the "most intensive undercover operation" by the county's narcotics task force (NTF) in years.
"These are drug kingpins. These aren't just people selling marijuana to each other. These are people selling one of the most addictive drugs there is," Stollsteimer said.
Delaware State Police and the FBI also helped in the operation.
The investigation into suspected drug trafficking activities began in February 2024, and Mills was identified as the head of the organization, according to a press release from the District Attorney's Office.
"We have targeted the corrupt organizations that bring this poison into our communities, not just the individuals who sell it on our street corners," Stollsteimer said in the press release.
Officials say Mills allegedly arranged to get supplies of cocaine from sources, including in Philadelphia. He also reportedly operated a warehouse in Wilmington, Delaware, where he would store cocaine.
"Very high-tech, sophisticated operation. I said earlier these are not people who are just starting the trade. They are notorious, known to law enforcement," said Stollsteimer.
Bannister and Young are said to be "trusted members of the organization" who would travel with Mills to Philadelphia to have other members of the organization resupplied with cocaine, according to the DA's office. Bannister is also accused of going to the storage facility with Mills in Wilmington.
NTF said members of their task force made controlled undercover purchases of cocaine from Young in the city of Chester between March and May.
NTF also got approval from a judge in June to intercept cell phone calls through wiretaps between the defendants, which officials say helped them determine that all nine defendants were actively engaged in the acquisition and sale of cocaine through the network operated by Mills.
Law enforcement then executed search warrants at 16 locations in Delaware County, as well as the state of Delaware, on August 13.
One location was a warehouse on 10th Street in Chester. There, authorities say they found digital scales with cocaine residue, baggies of various sizes, and a half pound of marijuana.
Another spot raided was an apartment above the Madison Grille on East 12th Street in Chester, where police say cocaine was stored and sometimes sold.
During the execution of the search warrants, $63,073 in cash was seized, along with six vehicles, three weapons, and ammo. Nearly 430 grams of cocaine and 257 grams of marijuana were also seized.
"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," Stollsteimer said. "I know that by dismantling this organization, we have made Delaware County a safer, healthier place in which to live."
All eight defendants in custody have been arraigned and bail was set a $500,000 cash for each. They are being held at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility and are scheduled to have preliminary hearings on August 28.
"People wonder why we still go after drug dealing so hard, and the reason is because of what it does to individuals and the communities where drug dealing is taking place. They are notoriously underserved, and it just destroys the sense of community in that place," Stollsteimer noted.