Two Indiana area men to face drug charges

Tips from the public helped police in investigations that led to the arrest of two men for allegedly selling drugs in Indiana County, the Indiana County district attorney said.

Richard Shaffer, 38, and Sterling Friel, 25, both of Indiana, are accused of selling drugs to informants, said District Attorney Robert Manzi.

Shaffer is accused of selling heroin, capping a four-month investigation by the Indiana County Drug Task Force, Manzi said.

Narcotics, along with a digital scale and packaging material used to package and sell heroin, allegedly were found during a raid of Shaffer’s Church Street residence on Friday, Aug. 4. The FBI, Indiana police, state police the county sheriff’s office and the drug task force conducted the raid, prosecutors said.

Shaffer was not home when police raided his residence, but he was arrested without incident a short time later in Blairsville, with the help of the Blairsville police, Manzi said.

Friel, who is accused of selling cocaine and crack cocaine, was the target of a two-month investigation by the drug task force, Manzi said.

When officers raided Friel’s residence on July 25, they allegedly found 63 grams of crack cocaine and cocaine, along with a digital scale, cash and other drug paraphernalia, Manzi said. His arrest stemmed from a tip that drug activity was occurring in June near North First Street in White Township.

Both were arraigned before Indiana District Judge Guy Haberl and was released on $10,000 bond. Shaffer faces a preliminary hearing before Haberl on Aug. 16 and Friel’s preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 14.