Rapping, Drug Trafficking Group Leader From Delco Gets Prison

BROOKHAVEN, PA — A Delaware County man who was the leader of a rapping, drug trafficking organization was sentenced to nearly half a century in prison, according to federal authorities.

Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams said Abdul West, 38, of Brookhaven, was sentenced to 45 years in prison, ten years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $5,000 fines for his role as the leader of the Original Block Hustlaz.

Authorities described Original Block Hustlaz (OBH) as a violent drug trafficking organization that doubled as a group of aspiring rap artists in Philadelphia. Two of West’s co-defendants — Jamaal Blanding, 39, and Jameel Hickson, 43, both of Philadelphia — were also recently sentenced and received 25 and 20 years in prison, respectively.

In November 2019, all three defendants — as well as Hans Gadson, 36, of Philadelphia, who is still awaiting sentencing — were convicted, after a two-and-a-half-week trial on charges that included conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and distribution of or possession with intent to distribute cocaine, crack, and methamphetamine.

Several other co-defendants pleaded guilty before the trial. In total, nine defendants connected to OBH were charged in a 16-count Second Superseding Indictment in August 2019. All nine were convicted or pled guilty.

From at least March 2017 to June 2018, OBH imported narcotics, including large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine, from California to Philadelphia, authorities said. The group then sold those drugs in the Philadelphia area, according to authorities.

To further their drug business, OBH used fear, intimidation, and violence, authorities said.

West was the driving force behind the violent character of OBH and routinely posted rap videos and other messages on social media in which he communicated threats of violence, and which demonstrated his power and authority within the organization, according to authorities.

Court documents show West ordered a member of the organization to murder a former member of the group, identified as R.J., because West believed R.J. was involved with West’s "enemy" and "playing both sides of the fence." R.J. was ultimately shot multiple times and died.

In September 2017, officers and detectives from the Philadelphia Police Department executed a search warrant at 3234 North Sydenham Street, which was a property used by members of OBH to store and sell drugs, authorities said.

During the execution of the search warrant, numerous drugs were seized, including approximately 62 grams of crack cocaine, 229 grams of heroin, and 48 grams of a methamphetamine mixture. The officers also seized $8,101 from the residence.

In May 2018, FBI agents executed a search warrant on an apartment on Columbus Boulevard, another property used by OBH to store drugs. During the execution of the search warrant, the FBI and seized 10 kilograms of cocaine, nearly 6 pounds of pure methamphetamine, and $20,000 in cash.

In a related case, defendant Charles Salley, 39, of Clayton, Delaware, pleaded guilty to witness tampering in connection with the above-referenced trial.

During the trial, a cooperating witness received a threatening letter from Salley under the pen name "Ron Harvey," threatening physical violence if the witness testified at trial against West and his OBH associates.

Salley was present in the courtroom during the course of the trial, including on the day of the witness’ scheduled testimony.

The threatening letter was investigated by the FBI and the witness ultimately testified during the trial. Salley is scheduled to be sentenced in August 2021.