A lengthy drug investigation led by several Lower Bucks police departments with the backing of the Bucks County Detectives Drug Strike Force has led to the capture of a major heroin dealer, arrest warrants for his associates and the seizure of thousands of bags of the deadly drug.

Charged Nov. 14 with corrupt organizations, drug and conspiracy counts, 28-year-old Cornelius Bell and his associates had been selling 500 to 1000 bags of heroin a day. Though based out of Trenton, New Jersey, they peddled the drug primarily to users and resellers in Lower Bucks County. 

Detectives from Falls Township, Bristol Township, Middletown Township and Bristol Borough began their investigation into Bell (top photo) and his organization in March with a string of controlled heroin purchases totaling four “bricks,” each containing approximately 50 bags and labeled “Tom Brady.” Smaller purchases from Bell and his associates followed as the investigation continued.

Information received through the Push Out the Pusher campaign was instrumental in building the case.

Bell’s arrest in Falls Township earlier this month came at the beginning of a day-long, multi-agency operation that also saw the arrest of Bell’s 27-year-old drug-dealing partner Jalmed P. Marks, of Trenton.

In addition to arresting Marks (middle photo), Mercer County Narcotics Task Force executed search warrants at several residences connected with the investigation, seizing more than 2,500 bags of heroin.

“From its inception in 2017, our Drug Strike Force has been committed to taking down major drug organizations in Bucks County through collaborations with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies,” said District Attorney Matthew D. Weintraub. “This bust is but one great example of our concentrated, multi-agency approach to getting this poison off the streets.”

According to an affidavit of probable cause, Bell and Marks along with two other men, Joshua White and Aaron Gyampo, worked together to sell heroin, using a cell phone number that they changed periodically.

One or more of the men appeared at nearly every purchase arranged through the shared numbers.

Marks, 27, White, 27, and Gyampo, 26, all of Trenton, face the same charges as Bell. Marks currently is in custody on charges in New Jersey. White and Gyampo remain at large.

Bell is being held at Bucks County Correctional Facility in lieu of bail, set at 10 percent of $250,000.

Arrested in addition was Dustin Biondino, of Falls Township, who assisted Marks in a controlled purchase of heroin in October.

Biondino, 33, (bottom photo) is also charged in a September incident in which he fled police attempting to stop him after what appeared to be drug transactions in the parking lot of Aspen Falls Apartments, a criminal complaint says.

While fleeing, Biondino ran into an apartment and barricaded himself in the bathroom where he attempted to flush items, including drug paraphernalia, down a drain. Additional items of paraphernalia were found on his person during his arrest. 

Seven buyers also were arrested the same day as part of the operation.

Further assisting on the Pennsylvania side were the Philadelphia Police Department’s aviation unit and the Pennsylvania State Police.

Deputy District Attorney Thomas C. Gannon is assigned to prosecution in the Pennsylvania cases.

Criminal charges are allegations subject to proof in court. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Contact: James O’Malley, 215.348.6298, jtomalley@buckscounty.org