PITTSBURGH - Pennsylvania officials say a cocaine ring they broke up in the Pittsburgh area had links to a Detroit gang.

Three alleged members of the Detroit "A-Team" gang were among nine individuals arrested in the 9-month probe of a trafficking operation that shipped more than $1.4 million worth of cocaine into Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review said Wednesday that the A-Team has been linked to seven shootings in the Detroit area and is believed to be trying to expand its position in the cocaine trade.

"We believe … they were going to try to take over the drug trade and try to knock their competitors out of business," Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett said.

Investigators believe the A-Team's link to the Pittsburgh area is a McKeesport man who is the brother of one of the gang members.

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