Coatesville Man Arrested for UPS Shipment Containing Fentanyl Pills and Cocaine

Shawn ArmstrongShawn Armstrong /Submitted Image

WEST CHESTER, PA — The Chester County District Attorney’s Office and the Coatesville City Police Department announce the arrest of 49-year-old Shawn Armstrong of Coatesville, PA, for his role in an illegal drug shipment delivered through the United Parcel Service containing 1,900 fentanyl pills, 19.1 grams of cocaine, and 1.2 lbs. of marijuana on May 25, 2023.

After the package was seized by police, a search warrant was executed at his residence in Coatesville. One .40 caliber rifle and one 9mm gun with live rounds in the magazines were recovered. One firearm was stolen and the other had no record of ownership. The defendant is not permitted to own a firearm because of a previous conviction, and he does not have a valid firearms license. Police also found over $12,700 in cash, a bulletproof vest, and other paraphernalia.

The defendant is charged with illegal possession of firearms, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and related offenses. He is held at Chester County Prison on $500,000 cash bail set by MDJ Scott Massey.

“Through outstanding collaborative efforts law enforcement has successfully removed more deadly drugs off the streets,” said Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. More than 150 people die every day from drug-related overdoses from illegal substances like fentanyl. We thank the police for their tireless efforts to protect our citizens and remove this poison and illegal firearms from criminals.”

The criminal complaint alleges that on May 25, 2023, police became aware of a parcel containing illegal drugs was scheduled to be delivered by mail to a residence in Coatesville. Kentucky State Police had originally intercepted the parcel with the help of a K9 Unit while searching a UPS hub, and further contacted Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Chester County Detectives about the package. The parcel displayed the name “Sean Michael,” and was scheduled to be delivered to 319 Charles Street in Coatesville at approximately 3:00 pm. Upon delivery, the defendant took the package inside the residence.

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Detectives then executed a search warrant for the residence at 3:12 pm and the defendant was taken into custody. Police seized approximately 250 grams of pressed fentanyl with a street value of $57,000, 19 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of $1,900, two pounds of marijuana packaged in various quantities for redistribution worth approximately $2,000, 53 Adderall pills worth $530, over $12,700 cash, one bulletproof vest, one stolen caliber rifle, and one-automatic handgun.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for later today, May 31, 2023. Chester County Detectives and Coatesville City Police Department are investigating. This case is assigned to the Drug and Organized Crime Unit. If you have information about this case, call Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866.

Information, a criminal complaint, or an arrest is not a declaration of guilt. A suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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