Wiretaps Lead To Bust Of Local Meth Operation

Limerick and Upper Providence residents were allegedly involved in a methamphetamine trafficking operation and have been arrested this week. The local residents arrested include Troy Dudas, Todd Slawecki, and Donald L. Preston.

Slawecki, , was arrested in October in relation to a drug bust that happened next door to his residence on Orchard Court in Upper Providence Township.

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman has announced the arrest of 32 suspects in connection with a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking operation, which spanned from northern Montgomery County to Philadelphia and included 12 residents of Lansdale, Hatfield and North Wales.

The investigation began in 2011, when detectives from the district attorney's Narcotics Enforcement Team were tipped off to the alleged drug trafficking activities of Hatfield residents Frank Messina, Jeffrey Penna and David Penna, as well as Dudas, of Limerick Township. Based on information gathered during the investigation, authorities were able to secure the use of wiretaps and electronic surveillance on the cell phones of Messina and Dudas from Feb. 8, 2012, through Feb. 29, 2012.

As a result of the surveillance, 14 search warrants were executed across Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, where authorities were able to recover quantities of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and firearms. One of the locations was Cosmo Motors, an auto shop located at 101 East Blaine St. in Lansdale.

According to the press release, the structure of the organization consisted of "meth distributers, users, and pushers". The release also states that the main targets were brothers Jeffrey and Devid Penna, who "used and distributed methamphetamine from Jeffrey Penna's residence in Hatfield Township."

The release states that the Penna brothers were later joined by Messina, who allegedly used and distributed methamphetamine, including to his own sister, Lisa Messina. Authorities were able to intercept conversations between Messina and his sister, which detailed "their method of operation in the distribution and use of [methamphetamine]."

The release also states that the investigation revealed links to a methamphetamine distribution network in Philadelphia, which was allegedly headed by brothers Juan and Antonio Encarnacion.

The suspects were arraigned on Wednesday, May 2, and Friday, May 4, by Magisterial District Judge Andrea Duffy, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 11, at 10 a.m.

The following were charged with Corrupt Organizations and Violations of the Drug Act:

• Francesco “Frank” Messina, 719 Schwab Road, Hatfield
• Troy Dudas, 111 Mine Run Road, Schwenksville
• Todd Slawecki, 42 Orchard Court, Royersford
• Robert Glorioso, 1295 Cabin Road, Hatfield Township
• Jeff Penna, 1295 Cabin Road, Hatfield Township
• Dave Penna, 1898 Valley Forge Road, Lansdale
• Jeff Martinez, 3822 North 6th St., Philadelphia
• James Trull, 1447 Old Skippack Road, Harleysville
• Antonio Encarnacion Perales, 1002 N. Marshall St. 2nd floor, Philadelphia
• Vanessa Ramos, 1002 N. Marshall St. 2nd floor, Philadelphia
• Juan M.Encarnacion, 3921 N. 6th St. Philadelphia, 
• Kent Lee Seprauskie “Gadget”, 55 Meng Road, Schwenksville
• Timothy Beck, 55 Meng Road Schwenksville
• Kristina Popelarski, 385 Greenwood Ave., Collegeville
• Joel Jay Payumo, aka Marissa Devine, 251 E. Thompson St., Philadelphia
• Joseph “Phoenix” Croxton, 1734 Tasker St., Floor 1, Philadelphia
• Dan Ells, 225 East 2nd St. Apartment B, Lansdale
• Rodney Creciun, 108 Stump Road, North Wales
• John Griffith, 1626 Sheffield Drive, Blue Bell

The following defendants were charged with Violations of the Drug Act:

• Ronald Krauss, 10 South Towamencin Ave., Lansdale
• Jamie L. Hamburg, 27 Lincoln Ave. Floor 2, Lansdale
• Anthony Lagrotte, 149 North 3rd St., Telford
• Carmen Iannelli, 2382 Orchard Lane, Gilbertsville
• John J. Welsh III, 1150 Schwab Road, Hatfield
• Lisa Messina, 2564 Morris Road, Lansdale
• Donald L Preston, 72 Roboda Boulevard, Royersford
• Kevin Saldutti, 1415 East Hewson St., Philadelphia
• Ryan Burns, 804 Marlbrook Lane, Lansdale
• Norman R. Russell Jr., 3275 Bergey Road, Hatfield
• Thomas McGoldrick,  1 Boro Line Road, King of Prussia
• Keith Chasteen, 251 E. Thompson St., Philadelphia
• Judy Cress, 913 Township Line Road, Phoenixville