Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. The suspected members of the drug ring taken into custody Wednesday were: Adams did not provide ages or addresses for the suspects. Operations such as this investigation are inherently dangerous, as is all the work our women and men who wear the uniform do on a daily basis, yet they face that danger head-on to make our community a better place.. 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He was returned to Lancaster County on 3 July 2014 and was arraigned on the charges from the three departments (Manor, Manheim & East Hempfield Townships P.D.'s) his bail was set at $100,000. holds hearing for developer Atiyeh's proposed trucking terminal, Whitehall couple celebrates 75th wedding anniversary, Voting begins March 1 in What's So Cool About Manufacturing Contest. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. Damar Hamlin's Super Bowl Jacket Condemned And Called Blasphemous By Adrian Peterson, Fans Defend Hamlin. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. The arrest warrants were issued by Magisterial District Judge Priscilla Campos. There was a problem saving your notification. The locations where search warrants were served Wednesday are: 1233 Green Street, first floor apartment, Reading 218 Linden Street, Reading 148 West Robeson Street, Reading 50 North Fourth Street, Apartment 6-C, Reading 122 Pennwyn Place, Cumru Township 1206 Muhlenberg Street, Reading 310 Bern Street, second floor, Reading 1202 Avenue C, Reading 601 North Fifth Street, Apartment 5, Reading 514 Maple Street, Reading "We seized over four kilograms of cocaine, approximately 20 pounds of methamphetamine, substantial amounts of bulk and packaged heroin, over 200 grams of fentanyl," Adams said. Reading police, the District Attorneys Offices drug task force, state police and officials from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agencies worked together to launch an intensive joint investigation to discover the source of the tainted drugs. Several arrested, sought in 3-county drug investigation, 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. Bond: $10,000. The defendants were charged with committing offenses involving violations of the PA Crimes Code and the PA Controlled Substance Act, delivery of controlled substances which included bulk amounts of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, corrupt organization, and criminal use of communication facility. holds hearing for developer Atiyeh's proposed trucking terminal, Whitehall couple celebrates 75th wedding anniversary, Voting begins March 1 in What's So Cool About Manufacturing Contest. During the same operation, Cooper's drug customer Comese Robinson, of Pottstown, PA, was also arrested and later convicted of similar charges in Montgomery County Court. Nearly $300K worth of drugs seized in Berks Caitlin Rearden Jan 26, 2021 Updated Jun 2, 2022 MGN SHILLINGTON, Pa. - A drug bust has taken nearly $300,000 worth of illegal drugs off the. Success! More than $1M worth of drugs seized, 12 suspects in custody after drug bust in Schuylkill County. If you know the whereabouts of Sanabria or Matthew, call the Berks County detectives at 610-478-7171. Adams said that all of the suspects, if convicted, face substantial jail time and fines in excess of $100,000. "Quite frankly, the common denominator involved in the deaths from the use of these drugs is the fact that, many times, the cocaine, the heroin, and the methamphetamine are mixed with fentanyl, which is a very lethal drug and is leading to our overdose deaths, again, increasing in this county," Adams said. Sheriff's Office By Tyler Hayden Thu May 06, 2021 | 7:49am Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) "The investigation revealed that Irizarry was being was being supplied by at least two distinct organizations.". Over 100 law enforcement officers raided those seven locations dismantling the ring in an effort designated Operation SmackDown. Authorities said they also seized nine vehicles, more than $200,000 in cash, and 21 guns during the searches. That is why charges like involuntary manslaughter or assault are not being levied. 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. 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Officials: 3 arrested in human trafficking ring in Berks County. Authorities have busted a large-scale drug operation that was centered in Berks County but stretched far beyond its border. When they wake up they are disoriented, have trouble walking, are weak, have a slow heart rate and their blood pressure is up, he said. All Rights Reserved. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. 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. . 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Adams said that a Reading Hospital doctor told him that ingesting the powerful cocktail amounted to an outright poisoning. Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams, at microphone, is joined by other law enforcement officials Thursday to announce arrests in a drug ring responsible for selling opioids that led. Search form. berks county drug bust 2021duck jerky dog treats recall. Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices, cap costs at $35 for many people with diabetes. The defendants were preliminary arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Gail Greth. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Analysis Specialist. One of those organizations, officials said, spanned a vast area, with networks in other Pennsylvania cities, including Allentown, Harrisburg, and York, as well as in Florida, New York, and Puerto Rico. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Here's what to know. READING, Pa. - The Pennsylvania State Police announced Monday that charges have been filed against three people connected to a drug . This does not match the symptoms we would expect from xylazine (the horse tranquilizer), Santoro said. Over $16,000 in cash which was believed to be proceeds from previous sales of controlled substances. ENTERTAINMENT. A total of twenty-three mid to high-level suspects were identified and charged with committing offenses involving violations of the PA Crimes . The Berks County district attorney's office provided photos related to a drug investigation dubbed "Operation Blue Crystal.". Information on charges and bail was taken from court documents. Adams said that six individuals believed to be involved in the ring remain at large. "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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. District Attorney John T. Adams announced during a press conference Thursday that raids the previous day of six locations in Reading and one in Birdsboro had netted 17 arrests. Individuals were arrested Thursday in an early-morning round-up. Carranzana-Sanchez is facing 852 felony charges and 284 misdemeanor charges. A donation of any size to your nonprofit media organization supports the future of media access in our community - the things you love, and the places you care about, by the people you know. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. The investigation did not stop there, Adams said. November 16, 2022 video 5 suspects, car caught on video after pistols, rifles stolen in. "These seized parcels contained four kilograms of cocaine," Adams said. The investigation was part of the departments Operation Cease Fire initiative, which is designed to reduce violence through the use of targeted enforcement details. 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!' Thieves memorizing passcodes to cellphones so they can try to steal money, What the Tech? 12 suspects are in prison and more than $1 million of drugs were seized in a large drug bust in Schuylkill County. It is also part of a larger initiative by the Moran administration to ensure the community has safe streets and neighborhoods. Thieves memorizing passcodes to cellphones so they can try to steal money, What the Tech? Early morning raids in Berks County have brought down a local drug ring responsible for selling opioids that lead to 101 people being hospitalized with overdoses in September. Error! This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Authorities announced the arrest of 48 people during an undercover investigation known as "Operation. Updated: 4:07 AM EDT September 15, 2021 READING, Pa. Berks County law enforcement officials announced Tuesday they have arrested three suspected drug traffickers allegedly responsible for. - . Following up on leads, Vice investigators were able to obtain a search warrant for the second floor of 343 North 8th Street. Arnaldo Rodriguez-Rosario, age 30, 609 S. 18 Street, Reading, PA, Stephen Santiago, age 49, 329 Locust Street, Reading, PA, Roberto Cruz-Rodriguez, age 52, 636 S. 17 Street, Reading, PA, Ramon Cruz-Cruz, age 35, 3226 Montrose Ave., Lauredale, PA, Brigido Casilla-Cabral, age 44, 133 West Windsor Street, Reading, PA, Studio & Offices: 401 Penn Street, Reading PA, Suite 162, Alvernia University CollegeTowne. The bust was the result of a nine-month investigation which ramped up in the last 30 days, officials said at a news conference Tuesday. PHOTOS: Suspects in Berks County drug bust. On 16 June 2014, Wayda was arrested in Toms River, NJ. We will continue our efforts to stamp out the sources that are contributing to the scourge in our community said District Attorney John T. Adams. He added that Narcan, an injection used to counter opioid overdoses, was ineffective. The suspects who have been sent to prison are: Miguel Carrasquillo Apolinaris of Hazleton; Joseph James Ganunis, of Saint Clair, and Dennis Shafe, of Pottsville, are still at large. The district attorney said it's not a new approach, but it's on the rise again. In the immediate aftermath of the overdoses, an investigation led to the raid of three locations where street level quantities of the tainted drugs were being sold. Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices, cap costs at $35 for many people with diabetes. Postal workers also came in close contact with the heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. 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"Numerous parcels destined for residences in Reading, Pa., were intercepted and seized by the postal service," Adams said. Theyve been working tirelessly around the clock to conduct directed patrols further investigations and prevent acts of violence in our community. Some patients have complained of hallucinations and shortness of breath, he added. While serving a search warrant at 419 S. 7th Street, Detectives found1,936 packets of heroin, with an estimated street value of up to $9,680, and6 bags of cocaine, with an estimated street value $120. 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. 15 of the 24 suspected mid-level drug dealers are now in police custody. Detectives from Berks and Schuylkill counties, the Pennsylvania State Police, and Reading police teamed up for what they called "Operation Crystal Blue," an investigation targeting an alleged drug trafficking organization operating in Berks, Lancaster, and Schuylkill counties. FINANCE. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. A WRPD Officer responded, spoke to the victim and initiated an investigation. holds hearing for developer Atiyeh's proposed trucking terminal, Whitehall couple celebrates 75th wedding anniversary, Voting begins March 1 in What's So Cool About Manufacturing Contest. By the Moran administration to ensure the community has safe streets and neighborhoods and bail taken. 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