PD News

May 15, 2008

Drug sweep in Pittston area nets arrests

By Ed Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
Ed Lewis on Facebook   |   @TLEdLewis on Twitter

PLAINS TWP. - As many as 33 people are facing charges in connection to a drug sweep in the greater Pittston area today.

State Attorney General Tom Corbett said the arrest is the result of "Operation Hometown," calling those charged "street level" drug dealers.

Corbett said those charged weren't working as an organization, but knew each other's activities.

"Like many Pennsylvania small towns, an influx of drugs and drug related activity can cause serious quality of life issues for residents," Corbett said during a news conference at the state office building in Plains Township. "This investigation targeted the problem head on and we have successfully put a significant dent in the Pittston drug trade."

Corbett said those charged were selling heroin, cocaine and crack in the Pittston area. He said many obtained the drugs in New York City, N.Y., and New Jersey.

Charged with various drug and related offenses are:

Tionne "Lowe" Thomas, also known as Craig Smith, 35, of Gwynn Oak, MD; Warren Snead, 46, of Elizabeth Street, Pittston; Trevor Hastie, 52, of Fifth Street, West Pittston; Seid Fikri Aptiliasimov, 24, of Elizabeth Street, Pittston; Michael "Aazzy" Azarovich, 51, of Towpath Court, Pittston; Lamar "AB" Brown, 22, address unknown; Lisa Cavill, 29, of North Main Street, Pittston; Jean Marie Daniels, 42, of Old Boston Road, Jenkins Township; John Jedrick, 37, of East Columbus Avenue, Pittston; Marie McNulty, 26, of Prospect Place, Pittston; John "John-John" Musto, 48, of Law Street, Pittston; Gina Paglianite, 40, of Pine Street, Pittston; Alan Williams, 28, of Union Street, Pittston; Richard "Porter" Lydie, 20, of Saint Clair Street, Wilkes-Barre; Dave Bernoski, 46, of Hill Park Avenue, Pittston; Layla Aptiliasimov, 27, of North Main Street, Pittston; Theodore Switzer, 36, of George Street, Pittston; Dawn Lyons, 36, of Tompkins Street, Pittston; Andrew Grasso, 18, of East Swallow Street, Pittston; Harry O'Neil, 19, of Parsonage Street, Hughestown; Colton O'Neil, 18, of Parsonage Street, Hughestown; Lewis Spiccioli, 24, of Carey Lane, Jenkins Township; Carl Polzer, 56, of Pond Street, Duryea; Katherine Jean Serplus, 26, of North Main Street, Pittston; Kevin Naylor Jr., 20, of Mitchell Street, Pittston; Robert Anthony Miller, 35, of Carnelia Street, Pittston; Adam Aptiliasimov, 19, of Owen Street, Swoyersville; Joan Catalano, 50, of Glendale Road, Pittston Township; Kenneth Cromer, 49, of East Columbus Avenue, Pittston, a person only known as Fats; and three male juveniles.

Luzerne County District Attorney Jacqueline Musto Carroll said John "John-John" Musto isn't a relative to her or to state Senator Raphael Musto.

"Had he been, it would not have made a difference," Musto Carroll said. "If you deal drugs...you're going to be brought to task."

The investigation involved state agents with the Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics and Drug Control, Luzerne County Drug Task Force, and police in Pittston and Jenkins Township.

For more on the story, read The Times Leader on Friday.

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