Federal prosecutors have revealed startling details about a criminal enterprise dubbed the “fentanyl robbery gang” (F.R.G.), responsible for a string of deadly robberies spanning from New Hampshire to Virginia. According to Gerard Karam, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the gang specialized in luring victims through dating websites, such as “Plenty of Fish” and “MeetMe,” under false pretenses. Once in contact, the gang would arrange meetings to rob victims of firearms, cash, drugs, and other valuables.
Led by Amanda Marie Correa, known as “Tiny,” the gang employed coercive tactics, including administering fentanyl-laced narcotics to incapacitate victims, facilitating easier robberies. If victims resisted, members resorted to violent home invasions, employing threats, beatings, and assault to seize valuables. The gang’s operations tragically resulted in four deaths across Pennsylvania and New Hampshire, with authorities suspecting additional victims.
Seven members of the group, including Correa and associates such as Robert Andrew Barnes and Christine Deann DiCarlo, face a litany of charges, including kidnapping, drug distribution resulting in death, and weapons offenses. Linked to New York City gangs, some members of the F.R.G. were identified as part of a broader crackdown on drug trafficking and related violence. The investigation, involving multiple law enforcement agencies and federal authorities, underscores ongoing efforts to combat the rising prevalence of fentanyl-related crimes nationwide.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reported a significant increase in counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, seizing over 79 million such pills in 2023 alone—a 33% surge from previous years. This alarming trend has prompted intensified efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks, particularly those leveraging online platforms to distribute illicit substances. Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Marshal’s Service, are collaborating closely to stem the flow of these deadly drugs and prevent further tragedies linked to organized crime groups like the F.R.G.
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