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!' The bust happened at the Candlewood Suites on Copeland Avenue in La Crosse Tuesday. Seventeen others were apprehended on Thursday; seven remain at large. Those highlighted in red are in custody the others are still at large. Sheriff's Office By Tyler Hayden Thu May 06, 2021 | 7:49am Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Milder with a mix of clouds and sun. 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. Law enforcement officials raided a home in the 100 block of Walnut Street in Reading on Tuesday and arrested three people. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Thieves memorizing passcodes to cellphones so they can try to steal money, What the Tech? The investigation was unable to identify the exact source of the drugs used by the people who overdosed and who died, Adams said. 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. Postal workers also came in close contact with the heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. Bond: $10,000. | Credit: Courtesy of S.B. "FedEx, UPS, and U.S. mail are unfortunately being utilized by the bad guys to ship their product to our area," said Berks County District Attorney John Adams. Tornielli said his department received complaints about illegal drug sales coming from a home in the 300 block of North 8th Street. The opioid crisis is an epidemic amid a pandemic and cannot be ignored. "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. Investigators said they believe the drugs came into Schuylkill from Luzerne County, although they are unaware how the drugs were transported to Luzerne. Two of the three raids recovered 500 blue bags that contained heroin, fentanyl and other drugs, Adams said. "Despite the COVID crisis, we are still hard at work and we will arrest you if you are involved with the distributing of illegal substances, drugs in our community," said Adams. There was an error processing your request. Montgomery County authorities announced the arrests of more than 30 people involved in what they say was . ", "I call fentanyl the common denominator of death.". Authorities arrested Rivera, Arius Cooper, Lynchel Cooper, and John Reppert in Reading. . Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. Peterson first condemned Hamlin on Sunday . Starting in December, a two-month investigation that primarily utilized wire taps identified 23 suspects and seven locations that were points of distribution for a large drug ring believed to be behind the tainted blue packets, Adams said. He also said the bust involved product worth a lot of money: 27.5 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of $2.7 million and 5.5 kilograms of fentanyl that could sell for up to $1.6 million. The investigation did not stop there, Adams said. Over 100 law enforcement officers raided those seven locations dismantling the ring in an effort designated Operation SmackDown. 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. & Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; 35 780-113(a)(31) Possession of small amount of marijuana; Source: Douglass Township Police Department. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices, cap costs at $35 for many people with diabetes. Berks County. "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. LinkedIn, . . They said they also nabbed Devon Given of Lancaster, who's accused of helping to supply Rivera with bulk quantities of K2. "Numerous parcels destined for residences in Reading, Pa., were intercepted and seized by the postal service," Adams 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. Breezy at times too.. Mostly cloudy with a shower possible late. 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 . The investigation revealed that many of the suspects involved were also actively engaged in their own enterprise of selling many kinds of illegal drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, marijuana, and prescription pills, officials said. 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. The organization utilized numerous sites within their territory as stash houses, points of sales and means to launder proceeds. There was an error processing your request. Here's what to know. 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. Authorities said they seized evidence that included 27.5 kilograms of cocaine with a potential street value of $2.7 million and 5.5 kilograms of fentanyl with a potential street value of $1.6 million. "The investigation revealed that Irizarry was being was being supplied by at least two distinct organizations.". AUGUSTA, GA - Eight men and one woman have been named in a newly unsealed federal indictment for taking part in a major drug trafficking conspiracy that funneled cocaine and other drugs from Atlanta to the Waynesboro, Ga., area. 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. They put their victims lives at risk for a profit," said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. What weve seen this past weekend and what we are learning about this past weekend is something that no one could have imagined or could have expected.. 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.. The arrest warrants were issued by Magisterial District Judge Priscilla Campos. 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. The investigation was forwarded to the WRPD Criminal. You have permission to edit this article. Source: West Reading Police Department Charges: As of Thursday afternoon, 17 of the 27 defendants were in custody following raids in the early-morning hours. Authorities said they charged the defendants with committing offenses involving violations of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code and the Pennsylvania 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. SHILLINGTON, Pa. - A drug bust has taken nearly $300,000 worth of illegal drugs off the streets of Berks County, according to law enforcement authorities. 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. According to Police, the organization peddled street-level quantities of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine from several homes in the 300 and 400 blocks of South 7th Street and surrounding neighborhood. 12 suspects are in prison and more than $1 million of drugs were seized in a large drug bust in Schuylkill County. "While incarcerated, he was using a cell phone to continue to facilitate delivery of cocaine and fentanyl here in all the counties that are represented today," said Berks County District Attorney John Adams. 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A 25-year-old Berks County man has been charged with sexual abuse of a child, along with other charges. SEARCH. Clearly, a bad batch of drugs landed in our community, and we are taking steps to stamp out this problem.. "We will extradite them from anywhere to face justice here in our county.". About 250 blue glassine packets each containing suspected heroin/fentanyl. 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 said they also seized nine vehicles, more than $200,000 in cash, and 21 guns during the searches. Chadwick Allen Creger , 46, of Rural Hall, possession with intent to manufacture sell and deliver methamphetamine 3 counts, sell methamphetamine 3 counts, deliver methamphetamine 3 counts, conspiracy to sell and deliver methamphetamine 2 counts, and possession of drug paraphernalia 3 counts. As a result of the raid, Tornielli says investigators found 906 grams of bulk Fentanyl (street value $290,980),$6,290 bags of Fentanyl packaged for sale (street value of $62,040), 1,989 Fentanyl pills (street value of $59,670) and 300,036 grams of bulk Cocaine (street value of $36,600). Collectively, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, Lancaster, York, Berks, Lebanon and Lehigh counties have nearly doubled their share of forfeited cash since 2012. During this phase of the investigation, it became apparent that this organization may have been tied to a United States Postal Service (USPS) case where they were investigating parcels of cocaine and fentanyl being shipped via United States Postal Service priority express mail, originating in Mexico to Puerto Rico and destined for Reading, PA. An analysis of intelligence and data suggested that the best course of action to neutralize this criminal enterprise would be non-consensual interception of certain members communications. 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. Detectives learned that the Norristown drug dealer was being supplied with bulk quantities of the illegal drug by an organization with ties to Reading, PA. Based on this information, Montgomery County Detectives teamed up with Berks County Detectives who jointly initiated an investigation with the goal of identifying the method and means of this organization and attempt to identify the ultimate source or sources of supply. PHOTOS: Suspects in Berks County drug bust. Twelve of 14 suspects are in prison, while the other two remain at large. "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. DETAILS OF INCIDENT: Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams announced on January 20, 2022, that a major drug trafficking organization was dismantled in Berks County yesterday (January 19, 2022). For kids ages 6 to 17, South Mountain YMCA Camps (SMYMCA) is the perfect destination for adventure, friendship and lifelong memories. Following up on leads, Vice investigators were able to obtain a search warrant for the second floor of 343 North 8th Street. 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, Fred Sheeler seeks election for Berks County Recorder of Deeds, J-Van Body awarded state loan to produce specialty vans for people with disabilities. Authorities announced criminal charges against 27 people for allegedly operating a large-scale drug trafficking organization in Berks, Montgom. "The FedEx's, UPS and U.S. Mail are unfortunately being utilized by the bad guys to ship their product to our area from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Mexico," Adams said. Adams did not specify how the locations and suspects were connected to the blue packets that caused the September overdoses. 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 principals in the other organization were identified as Carlos Balestier-Marrero, Nelson Rivera and David Delacruz.". All Rights Reserved. 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. "These defendants were a very successful drug trafficking operation until now," said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele. 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. Santoro said that after patients use one bag they become tired and fall asleep for a lengthy period. 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. 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. Success! Error! "These 27 defendants are some of the top suppliers of drugs in our region," said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele. As of July 31, Berks has seen 69 overdose deaths in 2017. Detectives from the Berks County District Attorney's Office have dismantled a large-scale illegal drug distribution network headquartered in the south side of the City of Reading. Multiple specimens have been sent to a specialty lab in an effort to determine what is in the drugs, Santoro said. The Berks County district attorney's office provided photos related to a drug investigation dubbed "Operation Blue Crystal.". 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