PHOTOS PROVIDED Pictured are indiviudals arrested and charged in relation to a methamphetamine ring through a PSP Task Force. They are, top row from left, Deandre Pringle Patterson, 35, of Philadelphia; Sean Lapp, 43, Shane Hockenberry, 38, Joseph Ballard, 38, and Jason Winkelman, 42, all of Mill Hall. Bottom row, Joseph Costo, 47, of Blanchard; Nicole King, 43, of Lock Haven; and Tierra Johnson, 26, of Lock Haven.

LOCK HAVEN — Seven area residents were arrested for their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking ring that moved narcotics between Philadelphia and Clinton and Centre counties, state police said.

Search warrants executed during the investigation reportedly recovered more than 22 pounds of methamphetamine, along with other drugs, drug paraphernalia and bulk U.S. currency, according to the police.

Beginning in August 2025, members of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations’ Southeast and North Central Strike Force began investigating the organization, which authorities allege trafficked large amounts of crystal methamphetamine in North Central Pennsylvania.

The week of Dec. 1, law enforcement executed eight residential search warrants across Clinton and Centre counties, seizing 10,006 grams (22 pounds) of methamphetamine, 13 vials of anabolic steroids, 28 grams of marijuana, 52 assorted pills and numerous phones, drug packaging materials and paraphernalia. Police also confiscated a 2024 Kia K5 GT sedan believed to have been purchased with illicit proceeds, along with a bulk of cash.

The seven area residents placed under arrest in connection with the drug trafficking ring are being held at the Clinton County Correctional Facility on bail ranging from $500,000 to $1 million.

The arrestees include Sean Lapp, 43; Shane Hockenberry, 38; Joseph Ballard, 38; and Jason Winkelman, 42, all of Mill Hall; Joseph Costo, 47, of Blanchard; and Nicole King, 43, and Tierra Johnson, 26, both of Lock Haven.

On Dec. 12, authorities in Philadelphia executed a search warrant stemming from the local investigation, resulting in the additional arrest of Deandre Pringle-Patterson, 35, of Philadelphia. He was transported to Clinton County, where he is awaiting a preliminary arraignment.

Authorities said they seized an additional 125 grams of methamphetamine, a stolen Taurus G2C 9mm pistol and drug packaging materials from Pringle-Patterson during the search. Pringle-Patterson is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The Pennsylvania State Police was assisted by the Office of the Attorney General throughout the investigation.

According to a release from District Attorney Dave Strouse via Crimewatch, Lapp, Hockenberry, Ballard, Winkelman, King and Johnson all appeared for their initial court appearance on Monday, Dec. 15, and all six defendants waived their preliminary hearing.  Pingle-Patterson and Costo are scheduled to appear on Dec. 22. All eight defendants remain incarcerated in lieu of bail.