HARRISBURG – An alleged Allegheny County cocaine dealer has been arrested following a search of a Wilkinsburg residence, where agents and local authorities recovered more than four kilos of cocaine with an estimated street value of $500,000.
Attorney General Linda Kelly identified the defendant as Newton “Crew” Lowden III, 34, of 1103 Bessica St., Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County.
Kelly said that during the four-month investigation, agents conducted a series of controlled purchases of cocaine and heroin from Lowden, who is known to be an upper level drug trafficker in western Pennsylvania. Agents believe that Lowden was capable of distributing significant amounts of cocaine in Wilkinsburg and surrounding areas.
On Sept. 15, agents executed a search of the residence where Lowden was known to be staying and recovered nearly four kilos of cocaine from a clothes dryer, approximately one-quarter gram of crack cocaine from a charcoal bag, a Smith & Wesson handgun, a cellular phone, ammunition, two digital scales and a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe.
Lowden was arrested in Wilkinsburg and is currently being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $10,000 straight cash bond. He is charged with one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine and one count of possession of cocaine.
Kelly noted that identifying Lowden’s supplier and additional suspects is part of a continuing investigation and additional arrests are anticipated.
Kelly thanked the Wilkinsburg Police Department, K-9 Officer Doug Yuhouse and his partner Jarrko and Wilkinsburg Sgt. Lawrence Singer for their assistance with the investigation.
Lowden will be prosecuted in Allegheny County by the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office.