The sweep concluded a six-month investigation into the sale, distribution and possession of heroin, cocaine, marijuana or prescription narcotics, said state Attorney General Tom Corbett.

"We work on it constantly. But these charges all stem from the last several months," said Fran Suppok, chief detective with the county district attorney's office.

During the investigation, agents and confidential informants made numerous undercover drug purchases in and around Greene County. In addition to the purchases, agents used surveillance and traffic stops to identify suspects and seize drugs.

"Selling drugs is a big business," Corbett said. "It doesn't matter whether it is a major drug organization or a street-level dealer. Every user and dealer taken off the street is a victory for communities."

Suppok said most of those arrested Wednesday sold drugs to undercover police officers. In other cases, the charges stem from drugs that Cumberland Township police found during routine traffic stops, Suppok said.

Suppok said the task force tries to conduct drug arrests in one sweep so that the investigation is not compromised by people discovering the identities of the undercover drug buyers.

The defendants, arraigned before District Judges Lee Watson and Glenn Bates, included:

n Kenneth E. Mansberry Jr., 20, of 306-A E. George St., Carmichaels, charged with one count each of possession of heroin, possession with the intent to deliver heroin and delivery of heroin. Mansberry was jailed on $2,500 bond.

n Charles Bainbridge, 26, of Crucible, charged with one count each possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on $1,000 unsecured bond.

n Timothy Ray Newell, 49, of 498 Lippencott Road, Waynesburg, charged with one count each of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was jailed on $6,000 bond.

n Cheryl Ball, 44, of Lot No. 41, Route 21 Mobile Home Park, Carmichaels, charged with one count each conspiracy, possession of Vicodan, possession with intent to deliver Vicodan and delivery of Vicodan. She was released on $7,500 unsecured bond.

n Glen Arthur Snyder, 44, of Lot No. 41, Route 21 Mobile Home Park, Carmichaels, charged with one count each of conspiracy, possession of Vicodan, possession with intent to deliver Vicodan and delivery of Vicodan. He was jailed on $5,000 bond.

n David Lee Casserly, 21, of 6 Biddle Acres, Carmichaels, charged with one count each of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was jailed on $500 bond.

n Nicole M. McAnany, 35, of 155 Meadow View Road, Westland, charged with one count each of conspiracy, criminal use of a communications device, possession of heroin and delivery of heroin. She was released on $20,000 unsecured bond.

n John Hughes Jr., 24, of 507 S. Main St., Point Marion, charged with one count each of possession of heroin, possession with intent to deliver heroin and delivery of heroin. He was jailed on $20,000 bond.

Warrants were issued for:

n Michael Milliken, 27, of 177 March Ave., Nemacolin, charged with one count each of possession of marijuana, possession with intent to deliver marijuana and delivery of marijuana.

n Joseph James Dean II, 18, of 1579 E. Roy Furman Highway, Carmichaels, charged with two counts each of possession of heroin, possession with intent to deliver heroin and delivery of heroin.

The task force is supervised by the attorney general's office with the assistance of Greene County District Attorney Marjorie Fox. Members include the Cumberland Township, Carmichaels Borough and Waynesburg Borough police departments and Greene County detectives. They are assisted by agents of the state Attorney General's Office Region 5 Strike Force.

The public is encouraged to report drug activity by calling 724-627-5391.

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