State prosecutors today arrested nine people for allegedly operating a $2.5-million marijuana ring that stretched from New York to Easton to the Kutztown University campus in Berks County. Attorney General Tom Corbett said the year-long investigation, known as "Operation 777," began during the summer of 2008.

[ GRAND JURY PRESENTMENT ]     [ NEWS RELEASE ]
  
He said it initially focused on the distribution of high-grade marijuana at K.U. Corbett said agents arranged a series of undercover marijuana buys from Kutztown University students and were able to trace the source of the marijuana to brothers Kendell "Sho" Alexander of Yonkers, New York and Nolan "Smurf" Alexander of Easton.

According to the investigating grand jury that recommended charges be filed today, the Kutztown University campus was targeted for redistribution of the Alexanders’ marijuana because of an especially high demand for the drug.

Corbett said the grand jury found Blasé Garrecht, a Kutztown University student, received marijuana on a regular basis from the Alexanders for redistribution on campus.
 
"Being a college student does not make you immune from the consequences of drug trafficking," Corbett said. "If you're selling drugs, whether on a university campus or in any of our communities, we will find you and we will put you out of business."

According to the grand jury, Kendell Alexander directed large shipments of high-grade marijuana and ecstasy pills from New York to his brothers Nolan and Jerome Alexander in Easton. Corbett says the marijuana was then broken down into multiple-pound quantities and delivered to local individuals, who then broke the drugs down further for resale.

"This organization was responsible for distributing high-grade marijuana, which brought in as much as $5,200 per pound for the organization," Corbett said.

The grand jury found that marijuana was stored at various stash houses in the Easton area, including one in the 1400 block of Washington Street in the city. Officials say associates stored duffle bags there containing between 25 and 50 pounds of marijuana, as well as hundreds of ecstasy pills.

The Attorney General's office estimates that over the past year, the Alexanders brought hundreds of pounds of marijuana into the Easton area, with an estimated street value of more than $2.5-million.

As the investigation progressed, Corbett said agents learned that members of the organization were also involved in money laundering. According to the grand jury, Kendell Alexander used the business, 777 Auto Sales in Easton, as a front for drug trafficking and laundered drug proceeds through the business checking accounts. The grand jury found Jerome Alexander was the principal owner of the business. Alexander and his mother, Felician Edwards, were allegedly in charge of laundering the family’s drug proceeds through the business’s checking accounts. Officials say they seized approximately $30,000 from the business accounts, 11 vehicles and four weapons.

Below is a list of the defendants, as provided by the Attorney General's office, and the charges against them:

Kendell "Sho" Alexander, 30, Yonkers, New York. He's charged with four counts of delivery of marijuana, three counts of possession with the intent to deliver marijuana, two counts of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, two counts of criminal attempt to commit dealing proceeds of unlawful activity, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of criminal use of a communication facility and one count of corrupt organization.

Nolan "Smurf" Alexander, 35, Easton. He's charged with three counts of delivery of marijuana, two counts of possession with the intent to deliver marijuana, one count of delivery of ecstasy, one count of possession with the intent to deliver ecstasy, one count of criminal conspiracy to deal in proceeds of unlawful activity, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of criminal use of a communication facility and one count of corrupt organization.

Jerome "Rome" Alexander, 33, Easton. He's charged with two counts of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, two counts of criminal attempt to deal in proceeds of unlawful activity, two counts of delivery of marijuana, one count of possession with the intent to deliver marijuana, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of criminal use of a communication facility and one count of corrupt organization.

Felician Edwards, 59, Easton. She's charged with three counts of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and one count of criminal conspiracy to deal in proceeds of unlawful activity.

Blasé Garrecht, 23, Kutztown. He's charged with two counts of delivery of marijuana and one count of criminal conspiracy.

Shawn Steckel, 24, Easton. He's charged with one count of delivery of marijuana, one count of possession with the intent to deliver marijuana and one count of criminal conspiracy.

Kamarr Wheeler, 20, Easton. He's charged with one count of delivery of marijuana, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

Kamal Morrison, 27, Bronx, New York. He's charged with two counts of delivery of marijuana, one count of criminal attempt to deal in proceeds of unlawful activity, one count of criminal use of a communication facility and one count of criminal conspiracy.

Joe Finocchio, 21, Easton. He's charged with one count of criminal conspiracy.

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