Phila. DA Gives Nod to UMPD for Big Drug Bust

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s office sent out a press release on Jan. 31, in which described how the efforts of the Upper Moreland Police Department (UMPD) helped lead to several arrests that stopped a lucrative drug-selling ring on the campus of Drexel University.

According to the release, on Jan. 18, UMPD arrested a Drexel University student on marijuana and gun charges. The student was then reported to have informed UMPD detectives of a drug ring operation being held on the campus of Drexel University.

In turn, UMPD notified the Philadelphia DA’s office.

The student allowed the Philadelphia DA’s detectives to record phone calls of drug transactions to another Drexel student, who was arrested and also turned informant.

The information and recorded conversations, led to three more arrests on the early morning of Jan. 31: The masterminds of the drug ring itself.

The DA’s Dangerous Drug Offender Unit, the DEA and members of the Philadelphia Police Department’s 12th and 18th district conducted the raid.

The raid, which took place in West Philadelphia, yielded 9,500 hits of LSD with a street value of approximately $28,000, and $10,000 in cash were found.

Investigators believe that LSD was being sold by the defendants, selling the drug for $10 – $30 a hit, and clearing and estimated $5-$15,000 a week.

The individuals arrested at the raid, were Raphael Zappala, 33, of Philadelphia; Joshua Dassay, 31, of Philadelphia and Wesley Crawford, 34, of Ardmore. They were charged with Delivery, Possession with Intent to Deliver, Conspiracy, Use of a Communication Device to Facilitate a Narcotic Transaction and Endangering the welfare of a Child, as there was an infant in the apartment at the time.

“This is another example of excellent teamwork between the different members of law enforcement in the Commonwealth,” said Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams.

Speaking in a correspondence with Patch, UMPD chief Thomas Nestel said that such arrests were a part of modern police tactics.

“Policing has matured over the last several decades and now focuses on a collaborative approach to drug and crime control. Criminals don't care where municipal boundaries begin and end,” Nestel said. “Law enforcement professionals utilize task force operations and information sharing to address crime in all of our communities.”

Nestel said that it is important that Upper Moreland Police cultivate a strong, cooperative relationship with the DEA, Philadelphia Police and the Philadelphia DA’s office in order to have enhanced awareness and multiply forces against crime.

“Philadelphia's drug problem feeds Upper Moreland's drug problem,” Nestel said. “Upper Moreland is committed to attacking drug dealing wherever it leads us.”