A North Philadelphia drug gang that used a coffee shop as a front for their operation has been shut down, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced. The takedown will result in 17 people facing criminal charges, including conspiracy, corrupt organizations, and a variety of drug and gun offenses.

Operation Targeted Longtime Dealers

The men involved were longtime drug dealers in the neighborhood, according to Sunday, with many exceeding the typical age range for such activity. The alleged leader of the gang, Louis Alexander, is 56 years old, and several others facing charges are in their 60s or 70s.

Coffee Shop Served as Drug Hub

Authorities allege that Alexander and his co-conspirators operated out of a coffee shop located at the intersection of W. Cumberland and N. Cleveland Streets, known as Cumberland Coffee and Snacks. According to Sunday, crack cocaine was cooked on the shop’s second floor, while sales occurred on the first floor. The group also conducted drug sales on nearby streets, with members performing various tasks to support the organization.

Decade-Long Operation

Senior Deputy Attorney General Michael Barry stated that the gang had been known in the neighborhood for “well over a decade.” While no charges related to violence have been announced, Sunday indicated that authorities discovered a stockpile of weapons and are investigating their potential use.

Poorly Disguised Front

Barry described the coffee shop as a poorly disguised front, noting that while some snacks and sodas were available during recent searches, “there were no coffee pots” inside. Alexander was taken into custody last week, court records show, and does not currently have listed legal representation.

Seized Evidence and Focus on Organization

During the execution of search warrants, police recovered dozens of firearms, cash, and drug paraphernalia. Sunday emphasized the goal of the operation was to “obliterate” the entire organization, not just individual dealers. “Our goal is not just to arrest the one person they caught dealing that day,” Sunday said. “The goal is to do it right and be able to remove an entire organization, because the impact on the community will be vastly greater.”