Authorities Bust Major Drug Ring Based in Norristown

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman announced today that what started with an investigation into an alleged drug dealer in Norristown resulted in a bust that took down a major drug trafficking network based on Chain Street in Norristown, but reaching as far as New York and Canada. 

During the the investigation, dubbed "Operation Chain-Link" for its Chain Street base, authorities seized over 4 kilos of cocaine, 92 pounds of marijuana, 53 cell phones, approximately $168,151.50 in cash, 8 digital scales, 9 firearms, a bullet-proof vest, various drug parephernalia and prescription medication as well as a shrine to Jesus Malverde, the "Patron Saint of Drug Traffickers."

Twenty-five suspects were arrested in the sting, 8 of whom are from Norristown, including Jose Mauricio Rodriguez-Cordero, a Costa Rican national living illegally in the U.S. Rodriguez-Cordero was the initial subject of the investigation and the apparent hub of the complex network of drug traffickers.

According to the indictment, brothers James and John Gambone, of King of Prussia, allegedly financed at least a portion of the operation with over $25,000 in cash.

Ferman and authorities are also hoping that this investigation and the subsequent and arrests will shed led on another Norristown-based crime – the murder of Jesus "Jesse" Medrano in July of 2011. Medrano was gunned down in the 500 block of Haws Alley on July 11, 2011. Authorities believe his death may be connected to the drug trafficking conducted by Rodriguez-Cordero and his organization.

Authorities are asking anyone with information on this crime to contact Montgomery County Detectives at 610-278-3368, the Norristown Police Department at 610-270-0977. Spanish speakers can call 610-960-3434.

Check back with Norristown Patch for more on this story.