Drug Investigation Leads To More Suspects

A marijuana investigation that began last month after seven pounds of the drug were sent to a Langhorne Borough house located near a daycare has lead to the arrest of several more people.

Thomas Weaver, 49, of Northwood, Ohio, was charged  bust with manufacture, delivery or possession with the intent to manufacture or deliver, following the November 20 drug bust. Those charges were amended this week and he now faces additional charges of corrupt organizations and conspiracy  to manufacture, delivery or possession with the intent to manufacture or deliver in addition to the original charges.

Leading up to November 20 sting operation, the postal service discovered a box addressed to a “Robert Dunn” of the 100 block of National Avenue in Langhorne filled with the apparent drug, police said. The package was shipped from California, according to court papers.

On November 20 at 10:57 a.m., the package was delivered by a mailman to the National Ave address. About 10 minutes later, Weaver drove up to the house, retrieved the package and placed it inside the National Avenue house, court papers say.

Police, county detectives and federal postal agents then jumped into action and conducted a traffic stop on the light-colored Toyota Weaver was driving. The car was stopped in the parking lot of the gas station at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Pine Street.

A parcel that contained seven pounds of marijuana was discovered November 19 while being shipped through the United States Postal Service. The package was turned over to the United States Postal Inspection Service Narcotics Office.

Investigators executed a search warrant on the  home and found marijuana and hashish, court papers say. Digital scales and drug packaging materials were also reported to be found in the house.

On Friday, the owner of the home, Carol A. Silcox, 58, was arrested along with Harry J. Schmitz, 53, who is reported to have stayed at the house.

Silcox told investigators she agreed to have Weaver’s packages delivered to her address in exchange for payments of $300 to $500, court papers say.

Silcox and Schmitz said they really didn’t know Weaver but the transactions were set up by Harold Joe Osborne Jr., 46, of Southampton, who is currently being sought by authorities.  Osborne would pick up the packages and even leave a small amount of marijuana and money for Schmitz in exchange for letting him send the drugs to the address, court papers say.

Schmitz admitted to investigators that he had previously worked for Osborne and sold drugs for him, according to court papers.

Investigators determined that a suspected box of marijuana was also delivered to a Feasterville pizza shop. The owner of the business denied knowing anything about the drugs, but did know several of the people arrested, court papers say.

Detectives raided a home November 20 on East Holland Road in Northampton that Weaver was allegedly staying at while the owners were away. Police said the house had overgrown brush out front but neighbors confirmed Weaver was living there. A burnt cardboard box with marijuana residue was discovered outside. Inside the house, marijuana and numerous blocks of hashish were uncovered along with myriad items consistent with a drug operation. A memorial card for Robert Dunn, the name used on the Langhorne package, was also found, court papers say.

The marijuana found in Northampton and Langhorne was similar in consistency, authorities said.

Silcox and Schmitz were both arraigned on drug charges and other offenses by District Judge Daniel Baranoski and released on unsecured bail.

Weaver remains in prison on 10 percent of $75,000 bail.

Detectives noted in court papers there may have been other individuals involved, but no further arrests have been made.

Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.