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FBI Pittsburgh searching for suspect in large drug trafficking operation

WPXI Patrick Ellis FBI Pittsburgh is looking for Patrick Ellis, who is wanted as part of an ongoing investigation. (FBI Pittsburgh/FBI Pittsburgh)

Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh FBI agents are searching for a man wanted in connection with a drug trafficking organization primarily operating in Washington, Allegheny and Fayette counties.

Patrick Ellis, 47, of Washington, Pa., is being charged along with 21 others who have been indicted by a federal grand jury for trafficking significant quantities of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl. Seventeen of the defendants were arrested yesterday as part of “FBI Operation Skyfall,” an investigation that spanned seven months and involved federal wiretaps of ten phones. Four other defendants were already in custody and Ellis is the only one at-large.

Those charged brought the drugs from New Jersey to Western Pennsylvania from April through October of this year, according to the FBI.

“The FBI and our partners will not let drugs and gun violence rip apart our communities,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Michael Christman. “Many of the people arrested have dangerous, violent criminal histories. They thrived on selling drugs that lead to dangerous consequences. Let this be a warning to other bad actors. The FBI and our partners will stop at nothing to investigate, disrupt and hold accountable those who insist on bringing their harmful business to our neighborhoods.”

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