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http://www.kyw1060.com/news_story_detail.cfm?newsitemid=37750

27 Indicted in Drug Crackdown; City Hall Link

by KYW's Tony Hanson
Federal authorities say they have indicted 27 people in connection with two alleged major North Philadelphia cocaine operations, and sources have confirmed there is a link to the ongoing federal municipal corruption probe in the city.

Sources have confirmed that some information developed during these drug investigations -- information about other possible crimes -- helped lead to the federal corruption probe.

Federal prosecutor Mark Ehlers (below right), who is prosecuting one of the drug cases, says there were wiretaps:

"Gerald Thomas is listed as the number one defendant in this case. The indictment alleges a number of telephone conversations that were picked up by Mr. Thomas and most of his co-defendants that are listed there."

Ehlers would not comment on any possible link between the drug and municipal corruption probes. But sources emphasize they are separate investigations -- that there is no allegation that any public officials are involved with these drug gangs.

Defense attorney Tariq El-Shabazz (below left), who represents one of the alleged drug gang leaders, says he know of no link between his client and the federal corruption probe:

"I think what they attempted to do -- and, I don't know, maybe are still attempting to do, you would know better than me, attempting to do -- is say there is some type of connection between some of the individuals under investigation in the federal probe and the alleged drug conspiracy here."

Federal authorities would not comment on any link between the two cases.

KYW's Mike Dunn reports Mayor Street said a short time after the indictments were announced that he has no knowledge of any arrests, nor whether they relate to the federal probe of City Hall. But he said the business of his government goes on.

The mayor said he has not been contacted by federal officials in any way about the development, nor does he have any information about whether further arrests or indictments are imminent:

"I don't have any expectations. I expect to do my job. And I'll let somebody else decide whether somebody, anybody, will be ever indicted in any of this. There have been probes like this where there has never been an indictment. I don't know. I don't know what they're doing."

The federal probe of City Hall has loomed over Street's administration since a listening device was found in his office last October. Numerous city offices and agencies have turned over documents to investigators and top administration officials have testified before grand juries.

The mayor insists the specter of that probe has not impeded his work in any way.

And again, sources emphasize there is no allegation that any public officials are involved with these drug probe arrests.