The arrest warrants were issued by Magisterial District Judge Priscilla Campos. The district attorney said that the intelligence gathered during the investigation showed that the street level dealers who were arrested in September got the drugs they sold from the targets of Wednesdays raids. Adams said the arrests made this week do not represent the end of the investigation. I would like to take this time to publicly commend them for all their efforts and hard work that often go unnoticed. Girl, 8, hailed a hero for actions during medical emergency, caring for baby brother, 4 retail shops opening soon in downtown Allentown, Community members address 'After School Satan Club' at Saucon Valley school board meeting, DA: Man threatened Saucon Valley School District because he was angry over After School Satan Club, Hearing continues on proposed expansion of Bethlehem Landfill, Nazareth girl holds book drive to donate to elementary students, Lehigh Valley Legends join sports buddies program for kids, Palmer Twp. "This was a multi-million dollar drug organization with connections as far west as Los Angeles, California, as far south as Puerto Rico," said Berks County District Attorney John Adams, who. The suspected members of the drug ring still at large are: Further details about them were unavailable. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. LinkedIn . Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. Success! Berks County District Attorney, John Adams, say the investigation began in July 2019 and culminated on November 19, 2020. Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices, cap costs at $35 for many people with diabetes. The packets that flooded Reading streets and led to the overdoses included heroin, fentanyl and other chemicals, including a tranquilizer used by veterinarians to sedate horses. ", DOWNLOAD:FOX 29 NEWS APP | FOX 29 WEATHER AUTHORITY APP, SUBSCRIBE:Good Day Digest Newsletter|FOX 29 Philly on YouTube. Sixto Cruz, 62; Margos Hernandez, 38; and George L. Cruz, 53, were arrested and charged with possession, possession with the intent to deliver, delivery of heroin and cocaine and criminal conspiracy. Milder with a mix of clouds and sun. Here's what to know. Girl, 8, hailed a hero for actions during medical emergency, caring for baby brother, 4 retail shops opening soon in downtown Allentown, Community members address 'After School Satan Club' at Saucon Valley school board meeting, DA: Man threatened Saucon Valley School District because he was angry over After School Satan Club, DA: Fentanyl a factor in increasing overdose deaths, State agents arrest Georgia man with more than 3 pounds of meth, 2020 overdose deaths highest-ever recorded in Berks, Reading Mayor Eddie Moran announces reelection bid, Reading Planning Commission tables final plan for church campus, Pa. state senators announce bill that would crack down on distracted driving, Police seeking suspect in Colebrookdale robbery, kidnapping, 69 News speaks with Pa. Lt. Gov. The group smuggled bulk quantities of cocaine through the mail from Puerto Rico to Berks County, officials said. "These seized parcels contained four kilograms of cocaine," Adams said. Search. NEWS. Your contribution makes community media possible. The health crisis began Saturday at 1 p.m. when Adams office was notified of a large number of overdoses were being seen at Reading Hospital. "This is an example of the violence of this organization, and I'm hopeful that our streets will be much safer with these individuals now incarcerated," Adams said," Adams said. "Stop selling your poison in our communities, because it's not going to be tolerated," Steele said, "and with these arrests, I think we severed a pipeline in our region.". The investigation was part of the departments Operation Cease Fire initiative, which is designed to reduce violence through the use of targeted enforcement details. . The Berks County district attorney's office provided photos related to a drug investigation dubbed "Operation Blue Crystal.". Berks County has seen more than 100 overdoses and one death since Saturday from a "bad batch of drugs," Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams said Tuesday afternoon, and officials. "Detectives from the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office identified a drug dealer operating in Norristown that was distributing cocaine," Adams said. "The principals in the other organization were identified as Carlos Balestier-Marrero, Nelson Rivera and David Delacruz.". Error! WHYY thanks our sponsors become a WHYY sponsor Schuylkill County District Attorney Michael O'Pake says the ring had been dealing drugs for years and more arrests could be coming. Adams said that all of the suspects, if convicted, face substantial jail time and fines in excess of $100,000. Montgomery Co. Drug Bust Yields 32 Arrests; Tip From Family Of An Addict Helped Crack Case. Peterson first condemned Hamlin on Sunday . TikTok sets new default time limits for minors, Lilly plans to slash some insulin prices, expand cost cap, Finland's Parliament gives final approval for NATO bid, Metaverse in spotlight at MWC tech fair even as doubts arise, Nigerian president-elect Bola Tinubu strikes unified tone, US futures, global shares up on strong China factory data, Supreme Court hears dispute between New York and New Jersey, Here are the countries that have bans on TikTok, Turkey intends to hold elections on May 14 despite quake, What the Tech? About 250 blue glassine packets each containing suspected heroin/fentanyl. Reading Police Chief Richard Tornielli announced the results of a recent drug and firearms bust in Reading during a Thursday morning news conference at City Hall. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. On 16 June 2014, Wayda was arrested in Toms River, NJ. The opioid crisis is an epidemic amid a pandemic and cannot be ignored. 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Those suspects still being sought by authorities were identified as: David Ortega, Sinking Spring Carlos Martinez, 37, of Reading Joshua Rivera, 34, address unknown Jose Garcia-Maldonado, 34, of Reading Jose Rivera-Bilbreu, 50, of Paradise Township, Lancaster County Anthony Caraballo, 22, of Reading Eric Mayo, 27, of Reading Carlos Cruz-Lind, 33, of Reading Theodore Thomas, 25, of Reading Joshua Manon, 24, of Reading Robert Stoudt, 53, of Cumru Township George Laborde, 47, of Reading Samuel Gonzalez-Cordero, 37, of Orlando, Florida Victor Cancel-Alvarez, 21, of Orlando, Florida "We are hopeful that these individuals will turn themselves in in the near future or we will catch them," Adams said. of marijuana (street value of $31,783), 791 grams of bulk MDMA (street value of $7,919), in addition to various pistols and rifles. Multiple specimens have been sent to a specialty lab in an effort to determine what is in the drugs, Santoro said. Those taken into custody include Aurelio Carrazana-Sanchez, the suspected head of the ring. The suspected members of the drug ring taken into custody Wednesday were: Adams did not provide ages or addresses for the suspects. Additionally, numerous parcels destined for residences in Reading, PA were interdicted and seized by USPS Inspectors. Cheryl Pentheny. Over $16,000 in cash which was believed to be proceeds from previous sales of controlled substances. February 26, 2023 at 8:56 a.m. We're coming to get you,"O'Pake said. Austin Davis about making history, why he got into public service, Historians remember folklore and legend surrounding the 'Lizzie Lincoln House', Berks History Center, NAACP discuss more inclusive exhibit opportunities, Police seek thief suspected in over a dozen burglaries at Lowe's stores, Exeter supervisors meet in relative peace, Hearing continues on proposed expansion of Bethlehem Landfill, Nazareth girl holds book drive to donate to elementary students, Lehigh Valley Legends join sports buddies program for kids, Palmer Twp. At 450 S. 7th Street, Detectives found documents pertaining to the member(s) of the organization, documents pertaining to approximately $87,000.00 in funds from a bank account associated with Luis Madera-Pacheco. . Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices, cap costs at $35 for many people with diabetes. Detectives arrested the alleged leader of the organization, Luis Pacheco, and his main underling, Jose Antonio Torres-Rodriguez, while serving the search warrant at 343 S. 7th Street. There was an error processing your request. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. TikTok sets new default time limits for minors, Lilly plans to slash some insulin prices, expand cost cap, Finland's Parliament gives final approval for NATO bid, Metaverse in spotlight at MWC tech fair even as doubts arise, Nigerian president-elect Bola Tinubu strikes unified tone, US futures, global shares up on strong China factory data, Supreme Court hears dispute between New York and New Jersey, Here are the countries that have bans on TikTok, Turkey intends to hold elections on May 14 despite quake, What the Tech? The bust was the result of a nine-month investigation which ramped up in. 2022 Hugg Media Group. Investigators said they believe the drugs came into Schuylkill from Luzerne County, although they are unaware how the drugs were transported to Luzerne. "Were working with our state law enforcement partners to seek out and shut down human trafficking throughout Pennsylvania. Two of the three raids recovered 500 blue bags that contained heroin, fentanyl and other drugs, Adams said. Crime Alert Berks County: Two sought in theft of $150,000 worth of jewelry. By David Chang Published October 14, 2021 Updated on October 15, 2021 at 11:06 am NBC Universal, Inc. Police arrested six people accused of taking part in a massive drug trafficking. Adams was joined by Dr. William Santoro, chief of the division of addiction medicine at Tower Health, and Council on Chemical Abuse Executive Director Stanley J. Papademetriou in the Berks County Services Center to drive home the importance of the crisis. Collectively, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, Lancaster, York, Berks, Lebanon and Lehigh counties have nearly doubled their share of forfeited cash since 2012. 881. Breezy at times too.. Mostly cloudy with a shower possible late. How Supreme Court ruling could affect how we use social media, RAW: FILE-JUSTIN BIEBER CANCELS JUSTICE WORLD TOUR DATES, Bruce Willis' wife getting help and support from dementia specialist, Bette Midler confesses to having 'some tailoring done' on her face, Prince and Princess of Wales pledge long-term support to therapy gardens, MCU star Jeremy Renner seen exercising two months after snowplough accident, Bette Midler unsure if Hocus Pocus 3 will happen. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Ghislaine Maxwell lawyer fighting for new trial or conviction reversal, Supreme Court hears New York vs. New Jersey dispute over port watchdog, Surgeon runs down Philadelphia street to retrieve organ from transport vehicle stuck in traffic, 'Silly seal alert!' Austin Davis about making history, why he got into public service, Historians remember folklore and legend surrounding the 'Lizzie Lincoln House', Berks History Center, NAACP discuss more inclusive exhibit opportunities, Police seek thief suspected in over a dozen burglaries at Lowe's stores, Exeter supervisors meet in relative peace, Hearing continues on proposed expansion of Bethlehem Landfill, Nazareth girl holds book drive to donate to elementary students, Lehigh Valley Legends join sports buddies program for kids, Palmer Twp. Multi-million dollar drug operation busted in Berks, DA says, Investigation dubbed 'Operation Last Hurrah', NBC's Hoda Kotb off 'Today' show due to family health issue, Wendy Williams Is Planning TV Comeback After Battling Health Issues, Zachary Quinto Cast in Lead Role of NBC Medical Drama Pilot Wolf, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. Subscribe today: Man charged in connection with 2016 Amity Township fatal shooting, Penn State Health primary care practice in Reading moving upstairs to bigger, better space, Berks History center announces free admission for Veterans in 2023, Video: Firefighters battle 3-alarm house fire in Kenhorst, Eastern Berks Regional Police looking for suspect in robbery, kidnapping, J-Van Body awarded state loan to produce specialty vans for people with disabilities, Boutiques showcase bridal, sportswear and date night chic in West Reading Fashion Show. Federal, state and local authorities in Berks County identified 22 suspects wanted for the delivery of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and synthetic marijuana, during an early-morning d Authorities announced the arrest of 48 people during an . The ring that was taken down Wednesday is thought to be behind the blue packets of opioids that led to the overdose outbreak that overwhelmed local hospitals last fall, Adams said. Authorities said they also seized nine vehicles, more than $200,000 in cash, and 21 guns during the searches. He also said the fentanyl was tested and had extremely high potency and was very dangerous, leading to the question of what is being done to ensure workers can do their jobs safely. Khmelnytsky, Ukraine. His home at 119 N. Third St. was one of the locations that was raided. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. How Supreme Court ruling could affect how we use social media. Officials: 3 arrested in human trafficking ring in Berks County. You have permission to edit this article. Other evidence seized includes four hydraulic floor jacks, steel plates, and a steel H-frame for the pressing of cocaine and heroin/fentanyl, authorities said. In July of 2022, detectives from the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office identified a drug dealer operating in Norristown, PA who was distributing cocaine. A WRPD Officer responded, spoke to the victim and initiated an investigation. "Stop selling your poison in our communities, because its not gonna be tolerated, and with these arrests, I think we severed a pipeline in our region," said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele. ", "I call fentanyl the common denominator of death.". Stormcenter - School / Business Application. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. The police said the home in Shillington was where they were supplying the house in the city, which was where most of the drug sales were happening. 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