125 people convicted after mass investigation into Irish mob gang in US prison

The Oklahoma-based prison gang were subject to a five year state wide investigation which resulted in the defendants being convicted across multiple federal cases.

Crimes for which they were convicted included drug trafficking, drug conspiracy, money laundering, witness retaliation, witness tampering, maintaining drug premises, illegal firearms possession, possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia and more.

The head of the gang, David Postelle (39), ran the drug trafficking ring from his maximum security state prison cell using the contraband phones.

He was sentenced to life in prison for his part in the cartel.

113 of the other defendants were collectively sentenced to 1,350 years in federal prison, seven lower-level defendants collectively received 33 years of probation, and two defendants received 15 years of deferred sentences.

Two other defendants are still pending sentencing.

Over the course of the investigation, federal, state and local law enforcement used various tools such as wiretaps on the gang’s contraband mobile phones.

When the phones were tapped, police were able to prevent acts of violence from assaults to kidnappings and potential shootings.

Officials seized more than 525lbs of methamphetamine and heroin, 212 firearms and almost $600,000 in cash and property associated with the Irish Mob Gang’s criminal activity.

“This wide-spread drug trafficking operation was primarily directed and controlled by incarcerated gang members using contraband cell phones from their state prison cells,” said United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.

“Now, 125 gang members and associates have been held accountable, more than 525 pounds of deadly drugs have been taken off the streets, and 212 firearms have been taken out of the hands of criminals.”

“I commend the outstanding effort and long-term coordinated teamwork of law enforcement partners led by the FBI, Oklahoma City Police Department, and IRS-Criminal Investigation, who worked closely with the dedicated and outstanding prosecutors in my office,” he added.