An investigation that started out probing the illegal sale of drug paraphernalia in Coatesville soon expanded into illegal drug trafficking ended today with the round up of some 30 individuals on drug trafficking charges.

Operation Clean Air resulted in the arrest of 30 individuals on drug-related charges.

Attorney General Tom Corbett said the investigation, known as Operation Clean Air began in May following complains by Coatesville council and city policed about drug paraphernalia being sold in stores in Coatesville. The stores identified today by Corbett are the Gulf Station, 158 Strode Ave; the Gas Stop, 700 block of East Lincoln Highway; and Dave's Deli, 600 block of East Lincoln Highway, all in the city of Coatesville.

In addition to the initial investigation, agents were again contacted in July 2008 with a request for assistance with open air drug distribution in the city of Coatesville. Corbett said that agents from the Bureau of Narcotics Investigation made a series of undercover crack cocaine purchases from numerous Coatesville locations.

According to agents, a majority of the drugs purchased and seized during the investigation are believed to have come from the Philadelphia area and were being resold throughout Coatesville and southeastern Pennsylvania.

"Coatesville is prime real estate for drug dealers to establish their business because of its close proximity to Philadelphia," Corbett said. "As long as there is a demand, drugs will continue to filter out of the cities and into our suburbs."

District Attorney Joe Carroll said he didn't want Chester County turning into the mall where people come to buy their drugs. He also said the series of recent home invasions were related to the city's drug trafficking

Last week Carroll and city Police Chief William Matthews attended a community meeting in the city's Fifth Ward both offering and taking suggestions on how to tackle violence in the city. Matthews said parents need to take responsibility for their children.

"If you child comes home with a new bicycle ask him where he got the money for him . . . And then ask him where he was all night," Matthews said at a press conference today.

"Like many Pennsylvania towns, an influx of drugs and drug-related activity can cause a serious quality of life issues for residents," Corbett said. "This investigation targeted the problem head on and we have successfully put a dent in Coatesville drug trade."

Arrested were on drug paraphernalia charges were: Dsouze Melroy, with one count of delivery of drug paraphernalia; Kulraj Singh, charged with three counts of delivery of drug paraphernalia; Stacey King Pearson, charged with two counts of delivery of drug paraphernalia; Cynthia May Rogers, charged with one count of delivery of drug paraphernalia; and Sohail Shaikh, charged with one count of delivery of drug paraphernalia. Corbett said all five individuals have pled guilty. No addresses or ages were supplied for those charged in the sale of drug-related paraphernalia.

Those arrested on drug trafficking related charges are the following:

--Stephon Smith, 20, 753 E. Chestnut St., Coatesville, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and corrupt organizations.
--Claude Turner, 57, 31 N 8th St., Coatesville, is charged with possession of a controlled substance.
--David Washington, 20, 758 E. Diamond St., Coatesville, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, corrupt organizations and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
--Devaughan Shelton, 19, 607 Victoria Lane, Coatesville, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and corrupt organizations.
--Michael Saunders, 31, 240 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance and illegal use of a communications facility.
--Robbie Robinson, 32, 310 E. Walnut St., Coatesville, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance and illegal use of a communications facility.
--Richard Adair, 62, 58 S. 8th Ave., Coatesville, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance and illegal use of a communications facility.
--Franscisco Sanchez, 49, 338 Valley Rd., Coatesville, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance and illegal use of a communications facility.
--Damon Wylie, 42, 653 E. Chestnut St., Coatesville, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substancy, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and corrupt organizations.
--Unknown/unidentified "Tan Shorts", is charged with possession of a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and corrupt organizations.
--Haneef Brake, 19, 556 Walnut St., Coatesville, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance, corrupt organizations and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
--Douglas Gray, 18, 416 Glendale Ave., Coatesville, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance.
--Audra Blackburn, 39, 243 Valley Rd., Coatesville, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
--Leonard Closson IV, 19, 761 Merchant St., Coatesville, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and corrupt organizations.
--Unknown/Unidentified "Cigar Man", is charged with possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and corrupt organizations.
--Lynnwood Hardy, 51, 216 New St., Coatesville, is charged with possession of a controlled substance.
--Michael Umble, 46, Box 83 East Stroudsburg Rd., Gap, is charged with possession of a controlled substance.
--Roderick Jones, 46, 136 Pennsylvania Ave., Coatesville, is charged with possession of a controlled substance.
--Richard Milbourne, 42, 7 Cornelia Court, Coatesville, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and corrupt organizations.
--John Summers, 53, 384 Valley Rd., Coatesville, is charged with possession of a controlled substance.
--Antonio Flores Lopez, 22, 1316 West Chester Pike, West Chester, is charged with possession of a controlled substance.
--Miguel Carmona, 32, 1316 West Chester Pike, West Chester, is charged with possession of a controlled substance.
Also arrested were four juveniles.