Three charged in drug bust

A one-month investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police Vice/Narcotics Unit assigned to the Chambersburg Barracks resulted in the arrest of three area people on Sept. 18.

Elisa Thomas, 29, Greencastle, Joseph Burns, 37, Hagerstown, and Donna Wharton, 46, Waynesboro, were arrested following a drug delivery at 3859 Grosh Drive, Lot 14, Tuesday of last week.

Burns arrived to supply Thomas with crack cocaine and powder cocaine, according to the police report. He was taken into custody and charged with delivery of controlled substance, simple possession of cocaine, and criminal use of communication facility. He was arraigned before District Judge Todd R. Williams and placed in Franklin County Jail on $50,000 straight bail.

Charges to be filed against Thomas include delivery of controlled substance, criminal conspiracy, criminal use of communication facility and endangering welfare of children, according to police.

They also plan to file charges of obstructing administration of law and hindering apprehension or prosecution against Wharton.

At the time of the arrest, items seized included 14 grams of crack cocaine, six grams of powder cocaine, a 1994 Mazda minivan and US currency.

During the course of the investigation, police state over 51 grams of cocaine were seized.

After receiving information that Thomas was selling crack cocaine and powder cocaine in the Greencastle area, an investigation was initiated Aug. 20. Police allege she sold cocaine to undercover state troopers four times. They discovered the supplier was from the Hagerstown area.