SCRANTON, Pa., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ Pennsylvania Attorney General
Mike Fisher along with Lackawanna County District Attorney Michael
Barrasse and local police officials today announced the breakup of a
major marijuana trafficking ring operating in Lackawanna County with
drug agents arresting up to nine suspects.

Fisher and Barrasse said today's arrests are the result of a 13month
investigation into marijuana trafficking in Lackawanna County by local
police and agents of the Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics
Investigation (BNI). They said the organization is allegedly responsible
for the distribution of more than 300 pounds of marijuana between 1992
and early 1997 with an estimated street value of more than $780,000.

Fisher said drug prosecutors and agents from his office presented
evidence of the alleged drug traffickers activities before the Eleventh
Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, which recommended the criminal
charges.

"We allege the ring leader of this trafficking organization, James "Red"
Nolan, received his marijuana from suppliers in Philadelphia," said
Fisher. "Nolan allegedly traveled to Philadelphia on a regular basis
purchasing multiplepound quantities of marijuana and then selling the
drug to his sources in Lackawanna County in quarterpound quantities.

Fisher identified the suspects and their roles in the trafficking
organization as:

James "Red" Nolan, 39, Lackawanna County Prison, Scranton. Nolan is the
alleged ring leader and principal supplier of marijuana of the
trafficking organization. He allegedly received his marijuana from
sources in Philadelphia.

John Reese, 47, State Correctional Institution, Retreat. An associate of
Nolan's, who eventually became a supplier of Nolan.

John Kane, 36, 127+ Franklin St., Dunmore. He allegedly was a regular
customer of Nolan who distributed marijuana to others.

Keith Martin, 29, 1016 N. Main St., Dickson City. He allegedly purchased
marijuana on a regular basis from Kane.

Fisher said the remaining suspects obtained marijuana in quarter pound
quantities from Nolan and allegedly distributed it to others in
Lackawanna County. They are: Nicholas Anzelmi, 39, 619 Lawrence St.,
Old Forge; Leonard DeMarco, 48, 1770 McDonough Ave., Scranton; Richard
Wolf, 46, 420 Oak St., Scranton; Mark Scone, 27, 1612 Summit Lake Road,
Clarks Summit; and Terrence Huegal, 26, P.O. Box 58, Chinchilla.

Fisher said the initial phase of this investigation focused on
trafficking in Lackawanna County. He said the investigation is
continuing with BNI agents focusing their efforts on the marijuana
suppliers in Philadelphia.

"Just last Thursday, District Attorney Barrasse and I announced the
arrests of juveniles and adults allegedly selling small amounts of drugs
in the high schools of Lackawanna County," said Fisher. "Together we
are committed to fighting and winning the war on drugs by investigating
both small and large scale drug dealers who have decided to make
Lackawanna County their base of operations."

Fisher said the suspects were arraigned before Scranton District Justice
Terrence V. Gallagher. He noted that Senior Deputy Attorney General
Fran P. Sempa will prosecute the cases.

The Attorney General thanked Moscow Police Chief Ralph Rogato and
District Attorney Barrasse for their assistance and cooperation in the
case.