According to law enforcement, drug traffickers are known to pray to "Saint Jesus Malverde" also known as "The Narco Saint" to protect their operations. But on Wednesday, the Montgomery County District Attorney announced that praying to the saint won't work in the area. She also announced that at least 21 out of 25 suspects in an alleged drug trafficking operation were arrested. Suspects include residents from Philadelphia, Norristown and the surrounding counties.

The suspects were arrested after a two-month investigation that was conducted by several law enforcement agencies including local police and state and federal agencies. According to authorities, an informant had given the name of an alleged cocaine dealer to drug investigators in Montgomery County on Nov. 14 which prompted the investigation.

As police began to investigate the alleged cocaine dealer in Norristown, the investigation quickly expanded to other individuals in surrounding areas who were believed to be involved with trafficking marijuana, cocaine and prescription drugs. While investigating the alleged drug traffickers, police reported that they trailed one suspect and witnessed a drug deal.

The Montgomery County District Attorney commented that the investigation could have gone more smoothly if laws allowed authorities to only obtain one wiretap order for every communication device owned by one suspect instead of needing to obtain a wiretap order for each communication device. She said that drug traffickers will oftentimes purchase multiple cell phones for deals which can make it more difficult for authorities to track and intercept calls. According to authorities, two of the suspects who were arrested had allegedly used at least 10 different phones.

The Montgomery County District Attorney also stated Wednesday after the arrest of the 21 suspects that she hopes to change laws that would require individuals to show identification when purchasing cheap, disposable cell phones so that authorities can better track drug dealers.

Source: PhillyBurbs.com, "Montco arrests 21 drug dealers and users," Margaret Gibbons, Jan. 25, 2011