The number of federal cases prosecuted in the Western District of Pennsylvania hit a new high this year including a case with Butler County connections.
According to United States Attorney Scott Brady, cases were filed against over 750 defendants between October of 2019 and September of 2020 which is 67% more than the same time period in 2016.
One significant case involving a drug trafficking organization and associated violence was Operation North Country. In June, nine members of a Philadelphia to Butler drug organization were charged for introducing fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine to the Butler area.
This case and others like it represent the most defendants prosecuted in any one year in the history of the Western District of Pennsylvania.