From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)

CITY MAN HELD WITHOUT BAIL ON DRUG-CONSPIRACY CHARGES

A Center City jewelry and electronics retailer who prosecutors say heads a
drug ring from which agents seized 1,600 pounds of marijuana and $1 million
in cash last month was ordered held without bail yesterday pending trial on
federal drug-conspiracy charges.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas J. Rueter determined that Alexander Kopeykin,
34, of Bustleton, a Ukrainian citizen facing deportation, posed a flight
risk and appeared to have been involved in significant marijuana
trafficking. Kopeykin's attorney, James A. Lammendola, said he would appeal
the bail denial to U.S. District Court.

Federal prosecutors alleged that Kopeykin fled the city Nov. 18 after he
and Alexander Cherkas, 23, of Northeast Philadelphia, were surprised by
agents as they unloaded boxes of marijuana from a truck outside a house in
Juniata Park. Kopeykin was arrested Nov. 24 at 30th Street Station after
getting off a train from Florida.

Cherkas and Fernando Salcido Morales, 33, of Nogales, Ariz., who allegedly
helped truck the marijuana to the city from Nogales, were arrested and are
free on bail.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski