OFF THE WIRE
Only on Fox 29: state investigators swooped down on South Philadelphia on Thursday as allegations surface about drug dealing and possible ties to the local Wiseguys.
Agents from the Pennsylvania State Attorney General's office executed search warrants at the homes of a former Pagans motorcycle gxxg member and several organized crime associates with past criminal convictions.
No charges have been filed in the case.
Law enforcement sources say it's part of a long term investigation into prescription drugs, purchased legally from legitimate doctors and then re-sold illegally out of bars and taverns in South Philly.
State investigators executed search warrants at the second floor apartment of former pagans gxxg member Joseph "The Goat" Ferrari at 10th and Tasker.
When Fox 29 arrived Thursday morning he was not to happy to see us. They also went to the home of convicted drug dealer Nicky Volpe on the 1000 block of cross street.
Volpe just got out of federal prison a few years ago.
Then they raided a second floor apartment at 21st and Passyunk where Billy Andrews lives.
Law enforcement sources describe all three men as associates with ties to the local mob.
Sources say they are also looking at the activities of high ranking mobster Joseph "Mousey" Massimino.
Mob watchers say investigators are breaking new ground trying to link the local mob to the drug trade.
According to sources investigators believe they got the drugs from local doctors using prescriptions, the pills were purchased legally from local pharmacies, then allegedly re-sold on the street illegally.
No charges have been filed, but Fox 29 was told there was extensive use of electronic surveillance on this case.
Video: http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/searches-made-in-potential-drug-probe-042811