SEWICKLEY - A multi-million dollar drug-trafficking ring authorities believe has been operating for nearly 20 years between western Pennsylvania and Arizona was smashed Friday with the arrest of 12 people suspected to be involved.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett announced the arrests Friday morning in Sewickley, saying the group moved more than 400 pounds of marijuana from Tucson to this area each month. He estimated they brought more than $2 million worth of marijuana to Allegheny and Beaver counties between 2007 and now.
The investigation was dubbed “Operation Infamous Choppers” because the alleged ringleader of the group was identified as John Duzicky, 37, of 710 Timber Lane, Aleppo Township, owner of Infamous Choppers, a motorcycle shop at 534 Camp Horne Road, Ohio Township.
Corbett said authorities believe Duzicky has been involved in transporting marijuana from Arizona, where he also maintains residency, to Beaver County as far back as 1990. He said Duzicky received bulk quantities from a Mexican supplier while he was in Arizona.
The attorney general’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation has been tracking the drug ring since 2007 and recently presented its case to a statewide grand jury, which recommended criminal charges be filed.
“Today’s arrests have disrupted a multi-million dollar drug pipeline flowing into Pennsylvania,” Corbett said. “This organization allegedly pumped more than 10,000 pounds of marijuana onto the streets of western Pennsylvania during this operation.”
A series of undercover drug buys were made in various locations including Ohio Township, Ambridge, Aliquippa, Crescent Township and Independence Township from Duzicky and his associates during the investigation, Corbett said. He said investigators seized approximately 220 pounds of marijuana, approximately $635,000 in cash, two kilos of cocaine, two handguns, two shotguns, six vehicles and a custom chopper over the course of the investigation.