Alleged Drug Ringleader Arrested
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The drug ring was busted in January when at least eight people were arrested in Adams, Williamstown and Greenfield after a three-month investigation by local and state authorities into crack cocaine and heroin distribution in Berkshire County. McGirt, 37, whose last-known address was on Howland Avenue in Adams, allegedly fled the state after his wife was arrested at her Greenfield home.
"This investigation proves the strength and value of local law enforcement, state police and federal authorities working together in a proactive manner to rid illegal drugs from our streets," said North Adams Commissioner of Public Safety E. John Morocco in a statement.
McGirt was taken into custody in Johnson City, Tenn., on Friday evening, Feb. 8. The arrest was the result of a warrant issued out of the Northern Berkshire District Court and made by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, acting on information supplied by the Berkshire Drug Task Force.
At the time of his arrest, police said McGirt had in his possession approximately two ounces of crack cocaine packaged for sale, a large quantity of marijuana, and $9,000 in cash. Charlena Rodriguez was also arrested at the Shelby Street residence where McGirt had been staying following his alleged flight from Massachusetts in January. In addition to the Tennessee charges, McGirt faces charges of distribution of crack cocaine and conspiracy to violate the controlled substances act in Massachusetts.
His wife, Lisa McGirt, 26, was one eight people arrested on narcotic distribution and weapons charges in January. A search warrant executed at her Water Street apartment in Greenfield turned up $7,000 worth of heroin and a small unloaded, pistol in her 3-year-old child's jacket. McGirt has two children, 3 and 6.
McGirt, aka Lisa Timoney, was charged in Greenfield District Court with drug violations in a school zone, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm without a permit and improper storage of a firearm.
Police said McGirt's Greenfield residence was used to store powder and crack cocaine, which she transported to her husband in Berkshire County. The couple allegedly kept several apartments in Western Massachusetts as distribution points.
As a result of the continuing investigation two additional city residents were arrested.
Wendy Whitney, 40, of Adams Street was arrested on Jan. 25 at her home by the task force on two counts of distribution of crack cocaine, conspiracy to violate the controlled substances act, and violation of a drug-free school zone. On Feb. 1, the task force arrested Anthony Marable, 47, of Walnut Street, on charges of distribution of crack cocaine and a violation of a drug-free school zone.
This investigation has lasted approximately five months and has put a major dent in the crack cocaine distribution network in Berkshire County, according to Morocco.
In addition to the DEA, the investigation included state police assigned to the Berkshire District attorney's office, investigators from North Adams, Adams, Williamstown, Dalton, Pittsfield, Lee, Lenox, Greenfield police departments, and officers from the New York State Parole Board Fugitive Apprehension Unit.
