2 convicted in Frankford drug ring

BY MICHAEL HINKELMAN, Daily News Staff Writer

Posted: March 14, 2012

Two men were convicted by a federal jury today of participating in a multimillion-dollar drug organization that distributed hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and crack in the city's Frankford section.

Federal prosecutors said Jaquel Crews, 41, of Sicklerville, N.J., and Mark Miller, 44, of Northeast Philadelphia, were among six individuals indicted in 2010 on charges of participating in the Frankford Drug Trafficking Associates, which lasted from 1986 to November 2007.

Both men were also convicted of multiple counts of money laundering.

Prosecutors said Crews and Miller delivered cash to a California-based cocaine supplier by transporting cash on airline flights from Philadelphia to Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

The cocaine was then shipped by the supplier to FDTA members to addresses provided by the defendants.

The evidence at the 10-day trial showed the defendants laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds by purchasing 76ers season tickets, a Mercedes, furs, a $30,000 home stereo system for Crews and through the purchase and refinancing of numerous homes in the Frankford area.

Crews faces a mandatory minimum 20 years to life in prison and Miller a mandatory 10 years to life.

Both men are to be sentenced in June.

Four co-defendants in the case pleaded guilty last year to various offenses and are awaiting sentencing.

Prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of 24 Philadelphia properties and $5 million.