Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Norristown Acting Police Chief James Angelucci announced criminal charges against 35 defendants following an extensive, months-long investigation that dismantled three large-scale drug trafficking groups operating out of Norristown. The groups had been flooding Montgomery County and surrounding areas with cocaine and crack cocaine. To date, 28 defendants have been arrested.
The investigation, named “Operation Cocaine Goldmine,” began in late 2024 and culminated in June 2025. The investigation began as usage of opioids and fentanyl was declining while cocaine and crack cocaine was experiencing a resurgence, in part due to the dramatic decline in wholesale cocaine prices. The decline in wholesale cocaine prices in the last few years represents a fundamental shift in the Norristown drug market, making large quantities of the drug more accessible to bulk cocaine traffickers, mid-level sources of supply and street-level drug dealers. Many Norristown-based cocaine drug dealers took advantage of this enormous shift in cocaine pricing. One principal of this investigation, defendant Jerome Berry, described Norristown in a recorded conversation as “a f—ing goldmine … A f—ing crack and coke mine.”
Throughout 2024 and into 2025, the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, with significant assistance from the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA Group 32– Philadelphia), FBI Bucks/Montco Safe Streets Task Force, the Montgomery County Drug Task Force and Norristown Police, conducted multiple investigations targeting powder and crack cocaine distribution networks in Norristown. These investigations led to the identification of intertwined networks of individuals who are most responsible for the trafficking of bulk quantities of cocaine into Montgomery County. The bulk quantities of cocaine are broken down into smaller quantities and distributed to sub-dealers, with portions of the cocaine cooked into crack cocaine and sold to end users. The investigation used electronic surveillance, confidential informants, controlled drug buys, GPS tracking and fixed and stationary surveillance methods to dismantle the drug trafficking groups.
Through the investigation, law enforcement seized seven pounds (three kilos) of cocaine and crack cocaine, more than $138,000 and 17 firearms, as well as other evidence of drug trafficking activities. “The arrests of these cocaine and crack drug traffickers, sub-dealers and street-level dealers will make a positive impact on the lives of law-abiding citizens in Norristown,” said DA Steele. “This takedown, coupled with our recent arrests of several warring factions of teenagers and young adults that were shooting at each other and in one case, killed a rival, is a concerted effort to rid Norristown of this criminal element that will not be tolerated in our county seat. I want to thank our state and federal partners for their ongoing assistance, especially the Attorney General’s Office.”
The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office was a key partner is this drug investigation and arrests. “This comprehensive investigation shows that drug traffickers adapt as their profits dictate, but without consideration for the devastation their products cause,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said. “I applaud our partners in Montgomery County for collaborating to build cases against dozens of defendants.
"These arrests will remove poisons from our neighborhoods while potentially preventing acts of violence that are commonplace with the drug trade.” Among those arrested are the leaders of these three drug trafficking organizations:
• Terrell Bailey, 50, Norristown.
• Jerome Berry, 32, Norristown
• Malik Noel, 49, Philadelphia
• Oscar Gordon, 37, Norristown
• Donta Wells, 40, Norristown
Arrest warrants have been issued for seven additional defendants: Denise Baird, Darnell Cotton, Tyya Griffin, Tyleek Lee, Michael Taylor, Curtis Thomas and Cori Wagner.
The charges for each defendant vary but include Corrupt Organizations, Conspiracy, Possession With Intent to Deliver, Criminal Use of a Communications Facility and other charges. The defendants’ preliminary hearings are all before Magisterial District Judge Patrick O. Krouse, with varying dates and times.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Karla Pisarcik, captain of the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Unit, and Assistant District Attorney Paul Pruitt, a member of the Norristown Community Justice Unit.
