Two Drug Trafficking Gangs Dismantled In Coatesville

WEST CHESTER, PA — Two large-scale drug trafficking gangs were dismantled, and 19 suspects were arrested on charges of selling cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and fentanyl, officials announced Friday.

"Operation Roasting Chestnuts” and “Operation Hey You Guys” took 17 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.6 pounds of cocaine, 9.5 pounds of marijuana, 68 grams of heroin/fentanyl, and additional fentanyl pills off the streets of Chester County, police said.

They also seized 19 illegal weapons and $260,000 in cash.

Thirteen suspects were arrested on Jan. 4 in connection with “Roasting Chestnuts,” and six suspects were charged on Feb. 8 in connection with “Hey You Guys.”

Coatesville Police Chief Jack Laufer said these two investigations originated with complaints from concerned citizens.

“Drug trafficking organizations such as these have no place in our city,” he said.

“Operation Roasting Chestnuts”

Police launched an investigation in the summer of 2022 in response to citizens reporting suspected drug activity at 586 East Chestnut St., which was referred to as a trap house.

Residents reported that they were afraid to leave their homes because of the blatant drug trafficking, unending streams of drug buyers, and threats of violence with firearms, especially in the presence of young children.

Police noted high volumes of foot traffic at the house daily and began conducting targeted stops of individuals suspected of purchasing controlled substances. Investigators estimated the drug gang was selling illegal drugs with an estimated street value of $12,000 - $12,500 per day in small street-level quantities.

The operation seized ten firearms, two bulletproof vests, and varying quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine with an estimated total street value of $25,000, officials said.

The suspects, all of Coatesville, were arrested on Jan. 4 on charges of conspiring to traffic narcotics. Dwayne Beckett, 48, and Dameon Nixon are free on $150,000 bail. The following suspects are in Chester County Prison in lieu of $250,000 bail:

• Rahshon “Rocky” Rokins, 48
• Walter “Winston” Loper, 39
• Larry “Bama” Williams, 40
• Danquice “Queety” Shelton, 35
• Nakia “Low key” Clark, 48
• Donique “Nique” Griffy, 27
• Sherena “Rena” Morton, 33
• Shawn “D” Duncan, 41
• Dianita Thomas, 45
• Ertha “Dirt” Flowers-Renshaw, 69
• Troy Hardy, 40

"Operation Hey You Guys"

Between October and December 2022 investigators conducted 14 undercover buys of cocaine from suspects and said Rodney Gaffnew and Maurice Scott were selling methamphetamine.

Police conducted 11 undercover buys, purchasing 6.5 pounds of meth, with nine transactions in Coatesville and two in Lancaster County.

Six suspects, who were members of a group called the "Goonies Gang," were arrested:

• Maurice “Poodah” Scott, 30, of East Fallowfield Township, is in Chester County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail.
• Rodney “Gaff” Gaffney, 31, of Coatesville, is in Chester County Prison in lieu of $15,000 bail.
• Brian Hawkins, 48, of Caln Township remains free on $15,000 bail.
• Douglas Gray, 32, of South Coatesville, and others, were all arrested.