8 “drug lords” arrested, 1 wanted after undercover operation busted drug trafficking organization in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

DELAWARE CO. Pennsylvania (WPVI) – Eight drug lords have been arrested and one person is still wanted after authorities say a major drug trafficking organization was dismantled in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

The eight people arrested are:

• Baruti Mills, 46, Upland;

• Gregory Young, 52, Marcus Hook;

• Gregory Council, 63, Downingtown;

• Kareem Bannister, 37, Chester;

• Louis Stillis, 53, Upland;

• Anthony Major, 53, Philadelphia;

• Breon Gethers, 38, Chester.

Nakia Jeffries, 49, of Harrisburg, also faces charges and is currently wanted by police, officials said.

Each person faces charges of operating a corrupt organization, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, conspiracy, and weapons offenses.

District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said Operation Rat Pack was the county's drug squad's “most intensive undercover operation” in years. The Delaware State Police and FBI also participated in the operation.

The investigation into alleged drug trafficking activities began in February 2024 and identified Mills as the leader of the organization, according to a press release from the prosecutor's office.

“We are targeting the corrupt organizations that are bringing this poison into our communities, not just the individuals who are selling it on our street corners,” Stollsteimer said in the press release.

According to officials, Mills is said to have organized the procurement of cocaine from various sources, including Philadelphia.

Bannister and Young were alleged to be “trusted members of the organization” who traveled with Mills to Philadelphia to supply cocaine to other members of the organization, prosecutors said. Bannister is also accused of traveling with Mills to a warehouse in Delaware where cocaine and money were allegedly stored.

According to the NTF, members of its task force made controlled, undercover cocaine buys from Young in the city of Chester between March and May. In June, the NTF also received authorization from a judge to listen in on cell phone conversations between the defendants. This, officials said, helped them determine that all nine defendants were actively involved in acquiring and selling cocaine through the network operated by Mills.

Then on August 13, law enforcement executed search warrants at 16 locations in Delaware County and the state of Delaware. During the search warrants, $63,073 in cash was seized, along with six vehicles, three weapons and ammunition. In addition, nearly 430 grams of cocaine and 257 grams of marijuana were seized.

“The defendants charged in Operation Rat Pack are drug kingpins responsible for a large portion of the illegal narcotics sold in our county,” Stollsteimer said. “I know that by dismantling this organization, we have made Delaware County a safer and healthier place to live.”

All eight defendants in custody have been charged and bail set at $500,000. They are being held at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility and are scheduled to appear for preliminary hearings on August 28.