State Attorney General Tom Corbett announced today that officials have broken up what they described as a $2.2 million cocaine ring based in the Monroeville area and operating around Allegheny County.

Mr. Corbett identified Julius Lamar Robinson, 29, of McKees Rocks, as the most prominent trafficker among those arrested. Thirteen people are facing charges in the investigation; seven of those have been arrested.

Mr. Robinson and an associate, Antonio Lemar Henderson, 23, of Sharpsburg, have their roots in the Race Street Crips, which Mr. Corbett described as a "violent street gang" in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood. Mr. Henderson is still at large.

The attorney general's office began its investigation in January, and Mr. Corbett said Mr. Robinson's drug organization was distributing $228,000 worth of cocaine each month. Mr. Robinson and his associates discussed their drug dealing activities through coded references, often using using sports references.

For example, a 7-gram quantity of cocaine was ordered by asking for a "Ben Roethlisberger jersey."

Investigators used court-authoritzed wire taps in the case. Mr. Robinson worked out of his Fox Hill apartment in Monroeville, according to Mr. Corbett, and the organization stretched around the area.

"Robinson was in the business of keeping customers supplied and addicted," said Mr. Corbett.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

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