Four alleged drug dealers from Philadelphia were arrested and a large amount of suspected heroin and crack cocaine was seized during a night patrol in Butler early this morning.

“The drugs we took off them have a street value of approximately $23,000,” Lt. James Hollobaugh said.

It also turned out that two of the suspects are felons and one recently served state prison time for drug trafficking, according to authorities and court records.

Charged with felony drug possession are Nafis Brown, 21; Mutatie Johnson, 24; Maleek Long, 24; Jakyle Young, 25.

The defendants were to be arraigned on charges this morning before being taken to Butler County Prison.

Out in his patrol vehicle abut 3 a.m., Hollobaugh noticed a man, who later was identified as Brown, walking on West Brady Street. Brown spotted the police car and immediately went into an apartment building.

The officer drove away, radioed to other patrol officers with a description of the suspect and circled back.

Hollobaugh and Patrolman David Villotti met up and soon began tracking fresh footprints in the snow, looking for Brown.

Not long after, Patrolman Nathan Shulik saw a man, who matched the suspect’s description, behind the wheel of a car, engine running, parked on North Jackson Street. The other three defendants were in the car.

Butler Township police and state police also were called to assist.

Fearing the men could be armed, the officers searched them, one by one.

“They all had large amounts of packaged heroin and crack cocaine, hidden on them,” Hollobaugh said.

In all, 592 stamp bags of heroin, 305 bags of crack cocaine and $485 in currency were seized.