Crime & Safety

Phoenixville Man Charged in Barbershop Coke Sting

Edward Durrell Jr., 42, was charged with intent to deliver and delivery of cocaine among other things.

TREDYFFRIN-The Montgomery County District Attorney charged 27 individuals—including a Phoenixville man—Tuesday with drug-related offenses involving cocaine trafficking.

According to a news release from District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman, Anthony Dennis, 39, of Tredyffrin was charged in connection with running a drug front out of barbershop Heads Up in Tredyffrin. 

Edward Durrell Jr., 42, of Phoenixville, was netted in the sting and faces charges for corrupt organization; intent to deliver and delivery of cocaine; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of telecommunications facilities; dealing in the proceeds of criminal activities; and drug paraphernalia. 

Find out what's happening in Phoenixvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Township police began investigating Dennis in 2008 at his business at 932 Upper Gulph Mill Road in Wayne. The investigation, entitled "Operation Heads Up," expanded to include Chester County, Montgomery County and state officials.

In the criminal indictment, officials say Dennis with his brother Michael Dennis distributed large quantities of cocaine to drug dealers throughout the Main Line. 

Find out what's happening in Phoenixvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Referred to as the Dennis Drug Trafficking Organization, the group, operating in part from Tredyffrin, reportedly supplied cocaine to James "Twin" Adams in Norristown. Following Super Court approval of wire taps on the Dennis brothers and Adams' phone, officials monitored the trio's phones from April 13, 2011, to May 18, 2011.

Utilizing information learned from the wiretaps, officials arrested Anthony Dennis outside the Target on City Avenue in Philadelphia after he purchased 9 ounces of cocaine from Samuel Marshall, his reported drug source. Officials seized $9,200 in cash, the cocaine, Dennis' vehicle and their cellphones.

Also on May 18, 72 officials in 21 locations throughout Montgomery, Chester and Philadelphia Counties raided suspected places, including the Wayne barbershop. In the sweep, officials seized:

  • Approximately 4 pounds of cocaine valued at $204,800;
  • 6.5 pounds of cutting agents; 
  • 10 digital scales; 
  • 14 vehicles; 
  • A 19-foot Pro Line fishing Boat from a storage facility in Collegeville;
  • $76,308 cash; 
  • 12 firearms; and
  • Ballistic vests. 

Arrested May 18 with five others—including his brother—Anthony Dennis was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Maruszczak. Bail was set at $2 million, and he was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in Lower Providence. Officials arrested and charged 21 others Tuesday in connection with the drug ring.

A resident of Montgomery Township, Anthony Dennis was charged with corrupt organization; intent to deliver and delivery of cocaine; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of telecommunications facilities; dealing in the proceeds of criminal activities; and drug paraphernalia..

Officials from the following agencies were involved in the investigation and subsequent arrests: Pennsylvania Attorney General, Chester County District Attorney, Philadelphia District Attorney, Montgomery County Detective Bureau, Pennsylvania State Police, Drug Enforcement Administration, West Norriton Police, Upper Merion Police, Upper Providence, Upper Dublin Police, Whitpain Police, Plymouth Police, Montgomery County Correctional Facility, Souderton Police, Norristown Police, Pottstown Police, Montgomery Township Police, and Lower Providence Police.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.