Arrested Friday in "Operation Broken Doll" was Christopher McDaniel of Philadelphia and about a dozen others. Prosecutors say there were part of a $6 million drug operation that was "a well-oiled machine."
You can read the official presentment by the grand jury by clicking here.
The authorities say the meth was made in Mexico, shipped to California where it was redirected to Philadelphia.
"As our investigation progressed, our investigators learned that once the methamphetamine was transported into California," said Tom Corbett, Pennsylvania Attorney General, "it was repackaged and resealed in pound quantities inside porcelain dolls."
The dolls were shipped to a shoe store in Center City Philadelphia and eventually, prosecutors allege, into the hands of Christopher McDaniel.
One suspect who couldn't be arrested Friday: Estela "Monica: Elenes. Last June she was killed in Mexico.
"Our law enforcement sources indicated that she was found decapitated and shot several times in the head. Her body was found along a roadway, near the burned-out SUV that was believed to have been used in her kidnapping," Corbett told reporters Friday morning. "At this time we believe that she was one of nineteen individuals murdered by Mexican drug cartels... that weekend."
Prosecutors believe McDaniel and his group would repackage the drugs again after receiving them inside the dolls, and then sell the crystal meth in Philadelphia and the suburbs.
This case will be prosecuted in Chester County.
Use This Link for a slideshow of the suspects involved in "Operation Broken Doll." A complete list of the defendants and the charges against them is below:
- Christopher McDaniel, 54, 836 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia, is charged with 13 counts of possession with the intent to deliver/delivery of crystal methamphetamine, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal use of a communication facility, and one count of dealing in unlawful proceeds.
- Estela "Monica" Elenes, deceased, Mexico, would have been charged with 13 counts of possession with the intent to deliver/delivery of crystal methamphetamine, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal use of a communication facility, and one count of dealing in unlawful proceeds.
- Flor Amaya, 31, of Chino, California, is charged with two counts of possession with the intent to deliver/delivery of crystal methamphetamine, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal use of a communication facility, and one count of dealing in unlawful proceeds.
- Michael McElroy, 30, 111 Charles Street, Southampton, PA, is charged with two counts of possession with the intent to deliver/delivery of crystal methamphetamine, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
- Lenora Trombley, 21, 470 Indian Run Road, Glenmoore, PA, is charged with two counts of dealing in unlawful proceeds, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
- Joseph "Kokomo Joe" Brabazon, 34, 8239 Frankfort Ave, Philadelphia, PA, is charged with 10 counts of possession with the intent to deliver/delivery of crystal methamphetamine, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of corrupt organizations, one count of dealing in unlawful proceeds and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
- James "Jimmy Nutt" Ballezzi, 46, 1318 Warnock Street, Philadelphia, PA, is charged with nine counts of possession with the intent to deliver/delivery of crystal methamphetamine, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
- Joseph Scavetti, 29, 2444 S. 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA, is charged with four counts of possession with the intent to deliver/delivery of crystal methamphetamine, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
- Nicholas Miller, 25, 4 Highland Court, Downingtown, PA, is charged with two counts of possession with the intent to deliver/delivery of crystal methamphetamine, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
- Charles Blosenski Jr., 43, 11 Coventry Cove, Elverson, PA, is charged with four counts of possession with the intent to deliver/delivery of crystal methamphetamine, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
- Charles "Chaz" Iannece, 50, 719 S. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA, is charged with two counts of possession with the intent to deliver/delivery of crystal methamphetamine, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
- Frank Piccolo, 27, 2622 S. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA, is charged with two counts of possession with the intent to deliver/delivery of anabolic steroids, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
- Kenneth Baker, 57, 3 Harvin Road, Upper Darby, PA, is charged with two counts of possession of crystal methamphetamine and one count of criminal conspiracy.
- Gabriel Blackstone, 34, 366 Cherry Wood Drive, Clementon, N.J, is charged with two counts of possession of anabolic steroids and one count of criminal conspiracy.
(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.)
You can get the latest crime statisits from the Philadelphia Police, by CLICKING HERE for the force's crime data mapping site.
