Tag Archives: SEU

Amateur Armorer Charged After Warrant

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A month-long investigation into a Lancaster City man resulted in a search warrant at his home in the 500 block of First Street.

During the month of April 2022, the Selective Enforcement Unit (SEU) conducted an investigation into the sale and construction of firearms and peddling of drugs from the man’s home. On May 7th SEU officers, with the assistance of the Lancaster County Special Emergency Response Team, conducted a search warrant at the address.

As a result of the search warrant, two rifles and a plethora of gun smithing tools and firearm parts were located and seized. Ammunition for handguns and rifles as well as packaging materials for drugs were also found which lead to numerous felony and misdemeanor charges against the man, who is a prior felon.

Thank you to the members of the Selective Enforcement Unit for your commitment and bravery. This investigation will no doubt help Lancaster City continue to be a safe place to be.

SEU Investigation Leads to Seizure of Four Firearms and $25,000 Worth of Drugs

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Early in 2022, the members of the Selective Enforcement Unit became aware of drug sales being conducted from a residence in the 900 block of State Street. Over the next several months these dedicated officers used a variety of investigative techniques in order to build a strong case against the occupants of the home and their involvement in the sale of a variety of drugs. Further into the investigation, officers learned that there was a high likelihood of the presence of firearms inside.

Knowing the effect that drug sellers have on a neighborhood, officers spoke with numerous residents in the area. These neighbors had previously felt safe in and out of their home but were frightened and intimidated by the occupants and visitors of the residence. Reaching out to neighboring jurisdictions, our officers found that the people related to this home had been committing a variety of crimes ranging from nuisance to felonious. Understanding that drug investigations extend beyond the neighborhood, our officer contacted County, State, and Federal agencies, all of whom quickly agreed to lend their assistance to this highly reputable unit.

All of this hard work came to a head on 8 April 2022 when a search warrant was conducted at the residence. Our officers served the search warrant along with the assistance of the following agencies:

  • Lancaster County Special Emergency Response Team
  • Pennsylvania Counterdrug Joint Task Force (PA National Guard)
  • Pennsylvania Officer of the Attorney General
  • Manheim Township Police Department
  • East Hempfield Police Department

Upon searching the residence officers located the following evidence:

  • One revolver with an obliterated serial number
  • Two semi-automatic handguns
  • One shotgun
  • 129.6 grams of crack cocaine, partially packaged for sale ($12,960 street value)
  • 111.8 grams of powder cocaine, partially packaged for sale ($11,180 street value)
  • 2.16 grams of heroin, packaged for sale ($720 street value)
  • 28 grams of marijuana ($280 street value)
  • 5 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms ($50 street value)
  • 8 Suboxone tabs ($80 street value)
  • 8 Amphetamine pills ($80 street value)
  • $310 U.S. Currency

Two residents of the home were arrested and charged for felony and misdemeanor grade drug violations as well as felony level firearms violations. 

This investigation exemplifies the hard work, dedication, and commitment of these officers. They showed their care for their community, their investigative skills, their humility, and their pursuit of the criminals who destroy the civility of our neighborhoods. For this, and all you do every day, we thank you!

Selective Enforcement Unit Makes 2021 A Record Year

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The Selective Enforcement Unit (SEU) is critical to keeping Lancaster City a safe place to live, work, and visit. Sergeant Tom Cole, who recently celebrated his 20th year of service, leads the unit of five officers as they use various methods in identifying and prosecuting street and mid-level drug dealing throughout the City. Much of their work ties into other investigations within Lancaster City and County including drug networks, homicides, shootings, robberies, and theft related crimes. These officers are selected based on their strong character, high work ethic, and tenacity in fighting crime.

The unit’s duties are not limited to investigations. Their weekly activities include speaking with their community about improving their neighborhood, testifying in court, attending and conducting trainings, following investigative leads, information sharing with other agencies, writing reports, completing casework, and assisting others within the department. These officers also each take on other duties including serving as members of the Special Emergency Response Team, the Use of Force Cadre, and conducting pre-employment background investigations. The unit has also become a trusted ally of the Lancaster County Drug Task Force, the PA Attorney General’s Office, and Federal Bureau of Investigations, among others. Their dedication to the success of the department and improvement of life in Lancaster City is obvious.

The achievements of SEU can also be attributed to the hard work of the countless other officers of the department who worked alongside them and shared information. A tremendous thank you and congratulations to SEU for their relentless pursuit of criminals.

Authors note: This unit functions under a full team mentality and are asked to perform undercover operations, which is why each officer’s name is not featured here.

SEU 2021 Year End Statistics:

  • 183 people charged with crimes
  • 965 Felony charges
    • 688 of those being Delivery of a Controlled Substance or Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
  • 104 Misdemeanor charges
  • 9 residential search warrants

Seizures:

  • 9 handguns
  • 54.06 grams of heroin ($18,020 street value)
  • 245.14 grams of cocaine ($24,514 street value)
  • 1702.1 grams of marijuana ($17,021 street value)
  • 340 grams of K2/synthetic ($3,400 street value)
  • 120 grams of methamphetamine ($12,000 street value)
  • 51 packets of Suboxone ($510 street value)
  • 302 various prescription pills such as Oxycodone, Xanax, etc.