Chester County man flees after police find cache of guns and drugs in his home

Police in Chester County are searching for a man they say sold drugs out of a “fortified bunker” on a residential block in Coatesville.

Ronald Smith, 41, is wanted on firearms offenses and drug possession with intent to distribute after authorities discovered a cache of illegal guns and drugs inside his home last week.

“The police found the unholy trinity of guns, drugs and money in the defendant’s house,” Chester County District Attorney Jack Hogan said in a news release.

Smith came to the attention of authorities after they witnessed drug activity out of his residence on the 400 block of Valley Road in Coatesville, authorities said.

A search warrant was executed by the Coatesville Police Department and partner agencies on Nov. 11. Smith’s front door was reinforced with a steel security bar, and surveillance cameras were outside and inside the residence, with a monitor showing a live feed of the video, according to the prosecutor said.

Inside, police say they found cocaine, crack, heroin, crystal meth, prescription pills and marijuana, in addition to scales, baggies, a safe for storing drugs and cash, and a cutting agent to increase the weight of the drugs.

There was also a small stock of firearms, incuding a Tec-9 semiautomatic pistol, a Colt .380-caliber semiautomatic with a 30-bullet clip, a .357 magnum revolver with an extended firearm, a revolver with an scratched-out serial number and an assault rifle-style weapon with a scope. Smith is prohibited from possessing firearms, prosecutors said.

Anyone with information about Smith’s whereabouts should call Coatesville Police at (610) 384-2300. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling (610) 380-1830 or texting 847411 with the keyword “Coatesville” followed by the message.