Law enforcement officials have successfully dismantled a sophisticated gun trafficking ring operating across Southeastern Pennsylvania, including in Bucks County. The illegal operation, spearheaded by a group primarily based in Pottstown, Montgomery County, was brought to light following a violent incident in February. Pottstown police responded to a stabbing at a local hospital involving an 18-year-old man, initially believed to be a small drug dispute. However, further investigation revealed that the altercation stemmed from an illegal firearm sale in Berks County.
The investigation expanded, uncovering a network of nine individuals involved in various illegal firearm activities. Among them was a 27-year-old man from Birdsboro, Berks County, who allegedly facilitated eight illegal firearm transfers. The group specialized in both the illegal purchase of store-bought firearms and the manufacture of 3D-printed “ghost guns,” suppressors, and machine gun conversion devices known as “switches.”
A 28-year-old man from Boyertown, Berks County, was identified as the operation’s 3D printing specialist, responsible for producing untraceable firearms and accessories. The organization purchased firearms from gun stores across multiple counties, including Bucks County, to arm criminals while evading law enforcement detection. Some guns were altered to become fully automatic and were used in various crimes, including road rage incidents.
Authorities discovered that several of the guns were used in shooting incidents in the region. Seventeen of the 31 firearms purchased by the group were recovered. Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry stated, “This criminal organization’s aim was to profit from providing criminals with firearms altered to achieve optimal destruction while avoiding law enforcement detection.”
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, along with various federal and local agencies, led the regional probe. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Gun Violence Task Force, ATF Philadelphia Field Office, Pennsylvania State Police, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, collaborated in the investigation. Techniques such as cellphone data analysis, surveillance, and social media monitoring were utilized to track and dismantle the gun trafficking operations.
All defendants are facing multiple charges, including felony counts of participating in a corrupt organization and illegal manufacturing and sale of firearms. The successful crackdown on this sophisticated gun trafficking ring highlights the dedication and collaboration of law enforcement agencies in combating illegal firearm activities in the region.