HARRISBURG, Pa., July 29 /PRNewswire/ Attorney General Mike Fisher
announced that agents from his Bureau of Narcotics Investigation arrested six
suspects today allegedly involved in a cocaine trafficking ring operation in
Luzerne and Columbia counties.

Fisher said today's arrests are the result of an undercover operation dating
back to December 1994 by BNI agents and the then Southern Luzerne County Drug
Task Force. During the course of the investigation, he said BNI agents made
undercover buys of both cocaine and marijuana.

The Attorney General explained that this investigation comprises the second
phase of a grand jury investigation into marijuana and cocaine trafficking
in Columbia and Luzerne counties. In the first phase, Fisher said BNI agents
arrested 10 marijuana suspects in Columbia County. Five of those suspects
have pleaded guilty.

Fisher said New York City was the cocaine source. He said the trafficking
ring was allegedly responsible for distributing cocaine with an estimated
street value of more than $500,000 in Columbia and Luzerne counties.

Fisher identified the defendants and their roles in the trafficking ring as:


Edward Kishbach, 52, currently incarcerated at Graterford State Prison
from a conviction on an unrelated drug investigation. Kishbach allegedly was
the main supplier of cocaine for the trafficking ring and he received his
drugs from a source in New York City. Beginning in early 1995, Kishbach
allegedly purchased a kilogram of cocaine for $21,000 on a weekly basis from
his supplier.

In addition to selling cocaine, Kishbach also allegedly sold
marijuana.

Dwayne Gurnsey, 41, of 116 East Main St., Knoxville. Gurnsey allegedly
purchased and sold both cocaine and marijuana, which he received from
Kishbach. Gurnsey allegedly sold undercover agents marijuana including up to
halfa pound and also sold undercover agents one ounce quantities of cocaine.

Michael Van Valkenburg, 21, of RR 2, Knoxville. Van Valkenburg, the son
of Gurnsey, allegedly sold quarterpound quantities of marijuana he received
from his father.

Sherry Kasko, 26, of Rear 238 W. Church St., Nanticoke. Kasko, a
girlfriend of Kishbach's, allegedly sold cocaine on numerous occasions. She
allegedly bought cocaine for Kishbach in New York City, and helped him cut,
weigh and package cocaine and also accompanied Kishbach when he collected
money owed from his cocaine customers.

George "Pinky" Kanyak, 41, of 88 Main St., Freeland. Kanyak allegedly was
a regular cocaine customer of Kishbach's, buying in quantities ranging from
oneeighth an ounce to onehalf ounce, and delivering it to others.

Robert McCarr, 45, of Box 22, Conyngham. McCarr allegedly purchased
cocaine from both Kishbach and Gurnsey. McCarr allegedly purchased cocaine
in oneeighth ounce quantities, and delivered it to others.

Fisher said BNI agents and drug prosecutors from his office presented
evidence of the alleged trafficking rings activities before the Eleventh
Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, which recommended that criminal charges
be filed.

Each suspect was charged with drug law violations and criminal conspiracy,
said Fisher.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Fran Sempa, who is prosecuting the cases, said
the suspects in custody were arraigned before Freeland District Justice
Gerald Feissner. Preliminary hearings are scheduled for Aug. 5.

Fisher thanked Luzerne County District Attorney Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. for
his cooperation and assistance and that of the former Southern Luzerne County
Drug Task Force.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General

CO: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General

ST: Pennsylvania

IN:

SU:

07/29/97 12:25 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com