UPDATED: Search Warrant Yields Drugs, Weapons in Canonsburg

A search warrant executed early Friday morning netted weapons and what law enforcement officials said was a "significant amount" of cocaine and paraphernalia.

The Washington County District Attorney's Drug Task Force, in cooperation with the Canonsburg Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, Washington County Regional SWAT Team, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Department of Justice and members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire Arms, served the warrant at 29 W. College St., where Joshua K. Thomas was arrested.

Canonsburg police charged him with possession of drugs, possession with intent to deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Thomas, 34, is also a convicted felon and was charged with a felony count of possession of a firearm.

He was arraigned Friday before district Judge David Mark and remanded to the Washington County Jail after being unable to post a $250,000 bond.

Police said they found cocaine, as well as several firearms—including an assault rifle, shotgun, several rifles and handguns.

According to the criminal complaint filed by Canonsburg police, Thomas gave a written statement indicating that he began selling cocaine around Christmas at $60 a gram and that he goes through about an ounce every week and a half.

Court records show that Thomas was arrested in 1998 in regard to an alleged shooting incident and later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.

Both District Attorney Gene Vittone and Canonsburg Mayor David H. Rhome lauded the effort by law enforcement officials.

"This operation is a continuing part of our efforts to investigate and prosecute dangerous drug dealers in Washington County," Vittone said. "I am particularly thankful to see that the police have taken many firearms in connection with this raid."

Rhome said his office, and the Canonsburg Police Department, have a message for those folks who can't abide by the law.

"If you continue to misbehave we are going to find you and take measures to remove your from our community," he said.

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