& Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; 35 780-113(a)(31) Possession of small amount of marijuana; Source: Douglass Township Police Department. Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams and Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele announced Thursday that twenty-seven defendants were charged with operating a large-scale drug trafficking organization in Berks, Montgomery, and other surrounding counties. The symptoms are lasting days and not hours or minutes. At 423 S. 7th Street, Detectives found approximately 6,000 packets of heroin, with an estimated potential street value $30,000, Approximately $114,000.00 in U.S. currency, two (2) AR style assault rifles, and bulk quantity of a cutting agent. Over the course of the investigation, dubbed Operation Caribbean Snowfall, two undercover officers infiltrated this organization and purchased bulk quantities of cocaine and fentanyl. "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 announced results of the joint investigation during a news conference in Reading on Thursday. Individuals were arrested Thursday in an early-morning round-up. 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 are not entirely sure what is in the drugs. Investigators said they believe the drugs came into Schuylkill from Luzerne County, although they are unaware how the drugs were transported to Luzerne. 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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. The investigation was led by the Montgomery County Detective Bureau's Narcotics Enforcement Team and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, with significant assistance from the Drug . By Reading Eagle. 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.. (AP) Authorities say an 11-month investigation that began with a drug overdose in southeastern Wisconsin has netted 106 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value up to $6 million. Adams issued a public health alert Monday in the wake of a weekend that saw about 70 overdose patients treated in local hospitals after they ingested a powerful drug cocktail that included a tranquilizer used by veterinarians to sedate horses. "They have armed themselves with weapons, to protect their illegal activities.". Those taken into custody include Aurelio Carrazana-Sanchez, the suspected head of the ring. 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. "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. During the raid, drugs with a street value over $500,000 were seized, along with three fully loaded firearms and a large amount of cash, Adams said. 2. 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, 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. 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. Narcan does not reverse the effect of whatever this toxin is, Santoro said. More than $1M worth of drugs seized, 12 suspects in custody after drug bust in Schuylkill County. You have permission to edit this article. "During this investigation, troopers determined that Irizarry was associated with numerous other significant illegal drug traffickers," Adams said. Investigators said they obtained and served search warrants at these locations on Nov. 3 and 4. Search form. The six-month probe, dubbed "Operation Last Hurrah," culminated Wednesday morning with approximately 125 state and local law enforcement officers fanning out across the city and surrounding suburbs, armed with dozens of arrest and search warrants. Damar Hamlin's Super Bowl Jacket Condemned And Called Blasphemous By Adrian Peterson, Fans Defend Hamlin. "We're constantly on top of it, not only to try to keep the community safe, but to try and keep our carriers safe, our postal employees safe," said Paul Zavorski, a U.S. postal inspector. Assorted packaging material, processing equipment, and a large amount of cutting agents all related to the packaging and processing heroin and cocaine. His home at 119 N. Third St. was one of the locations that was raided. Breezy at times too.. Mostly cloudy with a shower possible late. The investigation was part of the departments Operation Cease Fire initiative, which is designed to reduce violence through the use of targeted enforcement details. If you know the whereabouts of Sanabria or Matthew, call the Berks County detectives at 610-478-7171. Berks Weekly is an independent, locally owned digital newspaper covering the latest regional news and headlines in the City of Reading and Berks County, Pennsylvania. Breezy at times too.. Mostly cloudy with a shower possible late. 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. The Berks County Arrest Records Search (Pennsylvania) links below open in a new window and take you to third party websites that provide access to Berks County public records. READING, Pa. - The Pennsylvania State Police announced Monday that charges have been filed against three people connected to a drug . Markyrie McCray, Jr., 24, was sentenced on Sept. 8, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks, to 30 months' imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as "crack cocaine.". "This case is a testament to the millions of men, women, and children who are trafficked worldwide and, in every city, suburb, and town in this great commonwealth.". qy. 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. were among 23 people charged after the investigation of a Berks Individuals were arrested Thursday in an early-morning round-up. Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices, cap costs at $35 for many people with diabetes. 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? "Human trafficking is prevalent in our own communities within the commonwealth," said Major Jeremy Richard, director of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The investigation culminated with millions of dollars worth of drugs being taken off the streets and a major operation now out of service. Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams and Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele announced Friday that 27 people were charged with operating a large-scale drug trafficking. Following up on leads, Vice investigators were able to obtain a search warrant for the second floor of 343 North 8th Street. That does not mean the source has been eliminated completely, Adams said. Authorities announced criminal charges against 27 people for allegedly operating a large-scale drug trafficking organization in Berks, Montgom. Those who have been arrested as a result of the investigation were identified as: Luis Irizarry, 27, of Reading Nelson Rivera, 37, of Reading Carlos Balestier-Marrero, 29, of Reading David Delacruz, 36, of Cumru Township Angel Concepcion-Collazo, 24, of Reading Angel Morales-Rivera, 20, of Reading Wilfredo Alicea, 46, of Reading Joseph Parry, 29, of Muhlenberg Township Lewis Lembric, 26 (was already in jail at time of bust) Luke Williams, 30, of Reading Pablo Valentin-Maldonado, 38, of Reading Jamal Coleman, 28, of Reading John Ballard, 31, of Reading Ismael Mestre-Vazquez, 42, of Reading Vicki Bagenstose, 57, of Muhlenberg Township Robert Undheim, 53, of Muhlenberg Township Mike Rowe, 54, of Spring Township Roberto Garcia-Ramos, 32, of Reading Alexandria Hughes, 22, of Exeter Township Roberto Ortiz, 36, of Reading Dean Moyer, 54, Muhlenberg Township David Starke, 47, of Ontelaunee Township Restituto Leibensperger, 48, of Reading Enrique Ayala, 29, of Bethlehem Eunice Noemi Ortiz-Saez, 30, of Reading "Their bails have been set anywhere from $50,000 to $9 million," Adams said. "It made a big dent in that specific organization's income and supply," Pentheny said, "but just like anything else, you arrest one person and there's multiple people lining up to take their place. "The principals in the other organization were identified as Carlos Balestier-Marrero, Nelson Rivera and David Delacruz.". The group smuggled bulk quantities of cocaine through the mail from Puerto Rico to Berks County, officials said. 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. There was an error processing your request. "They have polluted this community and, frankly, they have polluted many communities throughout our state with this poison," Adams said. Crime Map; Site; Home; About Us. Cheryl Pentheny. 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. More than $1 million worth of meth, fentanyl and heroin were seized. Investigators also seized narcotics, drug packaging materials, and a firearm. "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. A Reading man described as a "major source" of heroin and fentanyl in Berks County was arrested during a drug bust in the city that also led to the seizure of more than 1,000 packets of drugs . Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. LinkedIn . Milder with a mix of clouds and sun. 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. 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. Thieves memorizing passcodes to cellphones so they can try to steal money, What the Tech? Papademetriou said his organization provides Narcan with no questions asked and urged people to arm themselves with it. Wednesdays raid should serve as a message to those in the illegal drug trade, the DA said. A total of 101 people were hospitalized in a matter of a few days in mid-September, with three dying. Theyve been working tirelessly around the clock to conduct directed patrols further investigations and prevent acts of violence in our community. Tornielli said his department received complaints about illegal drug sales coming from a home in the 300 block of North 8th Street. 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. The seven firearms seized will never be used to inflict violence on our community., Tornielli added, the officers, investigators and supervisors of the Reading Police Department will continue their efforts to make our city a safer place. "Where they were investigating parcels of cocaine and fentanyl being shipped via the United States Postal Service Priority Express Mail, which originated in Mexico, then to Puerto Rico," Adams said. Adams said the arrests made this week do not represent the end of the investigation. The grand jury concluded that Rivera, Ellis, and Thompson operated a corrupt organization involved in the human trafficking of young women for the commercial sex trade. Over 100 law enforcement officers raided those seven locations dismantling the ring in an effort designated Operation SmackDown. Since Sunday, officers from the Reading Police Department and the district attorneys office have executed three search warrants in the city. Law enforcement quickly leapt into action, and by Sunday afternoon, Reading police and Berks County detectives executed a search warrant in the 200 block of North Eighth Street. "Were working with our state law enforcement partners to seek out and shut down human trafficking throughout Pennsylvania. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. 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. You have permission to edit this article. November 16, 2022 video 5 suspects, car caught on video after pistols, rifles stolen in. There was a problem saving your notification. Breezy at times too.. Mostly cloudy with a shower possible late. Peterson first condemned Hamlin on Sunday . Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. 27 defendants charged in major multi-county drug ring, 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. The district attorney said it's not a new approach, but it's on the rise again. These parcels were searched, and numerous kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl were discovered and seized. "If you're a drug dealer in Schuylkill County be careful. 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