Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the arrest of Ismail A. Hamlin, a 28-year-old from Clairton, Pennsylvania. Hamlin faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after authorities found firearms and thousands of fentanyl doses in his possession. The arrest followed a collaborative investigation involving the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force, and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Narcotics Enforcement Team.
The search at Hamlin's residence revealed hundreds of bricks of fentanyl, firearms including a "ghost gun" and an illegal Glock switch, as well as cash. "This arrest is a testament to the value of law enforcement agencies working together to remove dangerous drug traffickers, and the poisons they distribute, from Pennsylvania communities," said Attorney General Sunday. He commended officers for seizing illegally possessed firearms and enough fentanyl to cause widespread harm.
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli emphasized the importance of agency collaboration: “This is proof that when law enforcement agencies collaborate together and integrate resources, we can effectuate change." She expressed hope that removing such quantities of narcotics and firearms would disrupt local drug trafficking activities.
Hamlin has prior convictions related to drug trafficking and firearm possession, which legally bar him from owning firearms. During the investigation, officials seized 478 bricks of fentanyl—nearly 24,000 doses intended for street sales—including 318 bricks found at his home on Friday.
A young child present at Hamlin's home is now under social services' care. Additionally discovered were 92 grams of crack cocaine, three assault rifles (one identified as a 'ghost gun'), two Taurus handguns with one having an obliterated serial number, a Glock switch enabling semi-automatic conversion to fully automatic fire, significant ammunition supplies, and $19,677 in cash.
Ghost guns are characterized by their lack of regulation and traceability due to missing serial numbers. It's important to note that criminal charges are allegations until proven otherwise in court.