Members of a South Philadelphia Drug Trafficking Organization Arrested and Charged

PHILADELPHIA—Federal agents and Philadelphia Police officers this morning arrested 15 members of a drug trafficking organization operating out of the federally subsidized Courtyard Apartments-Riverview and other areas of South Philadelphia, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger and FBI Special Agent in Charge George C. Venizelos. A 60-count indictment unsealed this morning charges Mayoshi Sanders and his co-defendants in a drug conspiracy in which the Sanders Drug Trafficking Organization (“DTO”) peddled crack cocaine and other controlled substances within the housing development and various other locations, primarily in South Philadelphia, and used residences at the housing development as stash houses.

According to the indictment, the Sanders DTO distributed in excess of 500 grams of cocaine and 280 grams of crack cocaine between March 2009 and August 30, 2011, with Sanders obtaining his cocaine supply from co-defendant Alfred Jenkins, among others. The Sanders DTO allegedly sold drugs in and around the South Philadelphia Courtyard Apartments, including: the 500, 600 and 700 blocks of Christian Street; and the 700 block of South 4th Street. The indictment alleges that the organization’s sales were not limited to crack cocaine and sometimes included cocaine, heroin, marijuana, Oxycodone, and Alprozalam, with members at times unknowingly selling the drugs to undercover officers and individuals acting at the direction of law enforcement.

“Thanks to the successful partnership between the FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department, another significant drug trafficking organization in Philadelphia has been disrupted,” said Memeger. “The residents who reside in the area in which the Sanders DTO operated deserve to live in an area which is free from the negative quality of life consequences associated with illicit drug dealing.”

“Our partnership with the Philadelphia Police Department in these types of investigations has proven very successful,” said Venizelos. “Our goal in these cases is two-fold: to rid our communities of criminal predators who destroy the very fabric of safety and security that all law-abiding citizens deserve, and to send the clear message that we are working together to aggressively address the violent drug and gang problems that our communities face.”

“Law abiding city residents should not have to live in fear of a domino effect from illegal activity that is happening across the street, down the block, or in their own development,” said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey. “Thanks to the successful working relationship between the FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department, the door is closing on another alleged drug trafficking organization.”

Charged with Sanders and Jenkins are: Tiyeak Cook, Jamal Stewart, Thomas Bowie, Elizabeth Cadogan, William Frisby, Kwane Glover, Harold Jackson, Philis McAllister, Betty Ann McKinney, Malani Sanders, Davon Stokes, Frank Wade, and Terrance Wade. In addition to the numerous drug charges, the indictment contains charges of maintaining a drug house (against Elizabeth Cadogen, Betty Ann McKinney, and Philis McAllister), unlawful use of a communication facility in furtherance of a drug crime (Sanders, Bowie, Cadogen, Cook, Frisby, Jackson, McAllister, McKinney, Malani Sanders, Stokes, Wade), and weapons offenses (Sanders, Cook).

If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force which includes members of Philadelphia Police Department’s Narcotics Field Unit North and the Philadelphia Police Department’s 3rd District. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Faithe Moore Taylor and Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Whitehead, Jr.

Information Regarding the Defendants

An indictment or information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.