Crime & Safety

Harmony Man Among Nine Charged in Tri-County Cocaine Ring

Tyler Dunlap is suspected as ringleader of drug-distribution gang.

A Harmony man was among the nine suspected drug dealers charged today after an investigation into the distribution of $2.5 million worth of cocaine throughout at least three western Pittsburgh-area counties.

Acting State Attorney General Bill Ryan said the investigation began in 2009 and focused on the cocaine trafficking activities of Harmony resident Tyler Dunlap.

According to investigators, Dunlap, Pittsburgh resident Thomas Parker, and seven other suspected cocaine traffickers operated as a loosely-knit group that distributed drugs in Butler, Beaver and Allegheny counties.

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Agents estimate that the group is responsible for distributing more than 90 kilos of cocaine. The estimated street value was $2.5 million.

Over the course of the investigation, agents and local police made and arranged a series of undercover purchases totaling more than one kilo of cocaine.

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The Cranberry and Harmony Township police departments participated in the investigation. The group faces preliminary arraignment before Cranberry Township Magisterial District Judge David Kovach. 

Below is a list of the defendants and the charges against them.

--Tyler Dunlap, 30, Scott Ridge Road, Harmony, is charged with six counts of possession of cocaine, six counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, six counts of delivery of cocaine, one count possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

--Michael Dapice, 51, Pressley St., Pittsburgh, is charged with two counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, two counts of delivery of cocaine, two counts of possession of cocaine, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

--Stephen Day, 28, 13th St., McKees Rocks, is charged with two counts of possession of cocaine, two counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, two counts of delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

--Luke Frawley, 33, Tripoli St., Pittsburgh, is charged with five counts of possession of heroin/cocaine, five counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin/cocaine, three counts of delivery of heroin/cocaine, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

--Thomas Frost, 30, Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, is charged with one count each of possession of heroin/cocaine, possession with the intent to deliver heroin/cocaine, delivery of heroin/cocaine and criminal conspiracy.

--Edward Kish, 38, Bascom Ave., Pittsburgh, is charged with six counts of possession of cocaine, six counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, five counts of delivery of cocaine, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

--Ashley Kunich, 28, Berry St., Baden, is charged with six counts of possession of cocaine, six counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, five counts of delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal conspiracy.

--Thomas Parker, 33, Compromise St., Pittsburgh, is charged with one count each of possession of cocaine, possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, delivery of cocaine and criminal use of a communication facility.

--Shawn Williams, 39, Pulaski Drive, Natrona Heights, Allegheny County, is charged with two counts of possession of cocaine, two counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, two counts of delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.


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