Hearings next week for pair in drug bust
BETHEL PARK, Allegheny County — Hearings will be held next week for two men, including one from Butler County, who were allegedly caught with more than five pounds of suspected marijuana and $10,000 in currency, authorities said.
Shawn P. Gold, 47, of Butler Township and Cornelius J. Paracca, 34, of Mount Lebanon were the targets of an investigation into drug dealing in the borough, Bethel Park Police Chief Timothy O'Connor said Thursday.
Police said the defendants were arrested in a vehicle during an alleged drug transaction Oct. 26 near South Park Road.
Officers with the department's Drug Investigation Unit seized between five and six pounds of suspected marijuana, THC oil, hashish and marijuana wax along with $10,000 cash.
Gold is charged with four counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility, all felonies, and other misdemeanor charges.
Paracca is charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy, criminal use of a communication facility and possession of a controlled substance.
Following arraignment, Gold was released on his own recognizance and Paracca was released on $1,000 unsecured bail. Preliminary hearings are set for Nov. 16.
Online court records list Patrick Thomassey of Pittsburgh as Gold's attorney. Thomassey did not immediately return a telephone call Thursday. No attorney is listed for Paracca.
