Several of the 27 suspects were arrested in a roundup early Thursday morning. The arrest warrants were issued by Magisterial District Judge Priscilla Campos. "Two undercover officers infiltrated this organization and purchased bulk quantities of cocaine and fentanyl," Adams said. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. 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. 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, Pa. state senators announce bill that would crack down on distracted driving, Reading Mayor Eddie Moran announces reelection bid, Reading Planning Commission tables final plan for church campus, Police seeking suspect in Colebrookdale robbery, kidnapping, 69 News speaks with Pa. Lt. Gov. The suspected members of the drug ring taken into custody Wednesday were: Adams did not provide ages or addresses for the suspects. "This large amount of fentanyl was seized at 122 Pennwyn Place, the location where Daniel Delacruz was operating from.". . Thieves memorizing passcodes to cellphones so they can try to steal money, What the Tech? Officials: 3 arrested in human trafficking ring in Berks County. But we do believe there are other sources and they may still be active.. Nearly $300K worth of drugs seized in Berks, 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. "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. Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the suspects still at large can contact Crime Alert Berks County via anonymous text to 847411, starting the message with keyword alertberks, or by calling 877-373-9913. Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices, cap costs at $35 for many people with diabetes. Bail was set at $1,000,000 for each defendant. 12 suspects are in prison and more than $1 million of drugs were seized in a large drug bust in Schuylkill County. Sheriff's Office By Tyler Hayden Thu May 06, 2021 | 7:49am Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Berks County. Peterson first condemned Hamlin on Sunday . "It's a very significant drug bust, being the amount of narcotics that were seized, including the amount of heroin and fentanyl, especially since we're seeing an uptick in overdoses," Pentheny said. Investigators said they believe the drugs came into Schuylkill from Luzerne County, although they are unaware how the drugs were transported to Luzerne. "We're already in the double digits for 2021.". We have stopped some sources of these drugs, Adams said. HOME. Error! 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? Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. were among 23 people charged after the investigation of a Berks Officials believe the blue bags that have been found contain heroin, fentanyl, lidocaine, xylazine and clonidine. Breezy at times too.. Mostly cloudy with a shower possible late. qy. Investigators said they obtained and served search warrants at these locations on Nov. 3 and 4. As of July 31, Berks has seen 69 overdose deaths in 2017. The defendants were preliminary arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Gail Greth. It is also part of a larger initiative by the Moran administration to ensure the community has safe streets and neighborhoods. YAHOO PLUS. Here's what to know. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. 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. "Detectives from the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office identified a drug dealer operating in Norristown that was distributing cocaine," Adams said. BCTV is a community driven content platform. Authorities arrested Rivera, Arius Cooper, Lynchel Cooper, and John Reppert in Reading. 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. The investigation was forwarded to the WRPD Criminal. Damar Hamlin's Super Bowl Jacket Condemned And Called Blasphemous By Adrian Peterson, Fans Defend Hamlin. A total of twenty-three mid to high-level suspects were identified and charged with committing offenses involving violations of the PA Crimes . Adams said the arrests made this week do not represent the end of the investigation. Some of the patients admitted into the hospital on Saturday are still experiencing symptoms today, the doctor said. 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. This investigation, its subsequent arrests, and the seizure of a large quantity of illegal drugs and firearms will undoubtedly make that neighborhood and our city safer said Tornielli. 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. om . "Today, 27 defendants were charged with operating a large-scale drug trafficking organization that operated in Berks and Montgomery counties and other surrounding counties," Berks County District Attorney John Adams said during a news conference in Reading on Thursday. "If you're a drug dealer in Schuylkill County be careful. Santoro said that after patients use one bag they become tired and fall asleep for a lengthy period. . On 16 June 2014, Wayda was arrested in Toms River, NJ. Perform a free Berks County, PA public arrest records search, including current & recent arrests, arrest inquiries, warrants, reports, logs, and mugshots. Authorities announced criminal charges against 27 people for allegedly operating a large-scale drug trafficking organization in Berks, Montgom. Since Sunday, officers from the Reading Police Department and the district attorneys office have executed three search warrants in the city. 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. "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. 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. 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. 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. "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.". The combined law enforcement team utilized all investigative means and tools at their disposal. 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? 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 investigation did not stop there, Adams said. He said they also confiscated several weapons and cash, including some from a secret compartment in Rivera's car. Authorities said the organization's leader was Carlos Lopez Rosado, an inmate at a federal prison in Schuylkill County. About 250 blue glassine packets each containing suspected heroin/fentanyl. [] 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.". That is why charges like involuntary manslaughter or assault are not being levied. The opioid crisis is an epidemic amid a pandemic and cannot be ignored. 2022 Hugg Media Group. Cheryl Pentheny. "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. In July of 2022, detectives from the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office identified a drug dealer operating in Norristown, PA who was distributing cocaine. SEARCH. 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November 16, 2022 video 5 suspects, car caught on video after pistols, rifles stolen in. Adams issued a public health alert on Sept. 13 in response to the rash of overdoses. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. READING, Pa. - The Pennsylvania State Police announced Monday that charges have been filed against three people connected to a drug distribution and human trafficking ring operating in and around Reading in Berks County. A bad batch of drugs has led to more than 100, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Former West Reading police officer federally indicted in fraudulent body armor scheme for a second time, A bad batch of drugs has led to more than 100 overdoses in Berks County, Former Pottstown man charged in 2016 killing of Berks man, Suspect wanted for robbing, kidnapping customer at Boyertown-area convenience store, Railroad the last stop of a policemans 46-year career, issued a public health alert Monday in the wake of a weekend that saw about 70 overdose patients, State police charge passenger in fatal crash on Interstate 78 in Berks, So-called Lizzie Lincoln house in Exeter Township to be demolished, Reading restaurant is target of second swatting incident in 3 days in Berks, Area family-owned businesses thrive for multiple generations, Stewart's game-winner lifts Wyomissing over Berks Catholic in District 3 Class 4A semifinal, Berks family of 4 displaced by 2-alarm overnight fire, Reading Penn Street shop owner wants more action, less talk about downtown progress, Reading High boys basketball advances to sixth straight final with win over Waynesboro in District 3 Class 6A, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Denver just got a direct flight to this Caribbean island known for music history and vegetarian cooking, NYC Mayor Adams dismisses need to separate church and state, declares himself a servant of God, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Authorities announced the arrest of 48 people during an undercover investigation known as "Operation. Adams said that a Reading Hospital doctor told him that ingesting the powerful cocktail amounted to an outright poisoning. Collectively, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, Lancaster, York, Berks, Lebanon and Lehigh counties have nearly doubled their share of forfeited cash since 2012. 881. READING, Pa. - The Pennsylvania State Police announced Monday that charges have been filed against three people connected to a drug . Berks County authorities announced the arrest of 48 people during an undercover investigation known as "Operation Tourniquet". Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. "They have armed themselves with weapons, to protect their illegal activities.". The indictment in USA v. Rhaney et al, dubbed Operation Washout, represents a significant, coordinated attack on . 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Gov. The other organization, officials said, orchestrated deliveries of methamphetamine from other areas of the United States, including Los Angeles, with plans to deliver the drug to surrounding counties, including Lancaster, Lehigh, and Schuylkill. "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. Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of illegal narcotics, including the extremely dangerous drug fentanyl, will not poison the residents of our city and our County. According to Adams, detectives seized large amounts of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and synthetic marijuana, or K2. 2. They say it is resistant to Narcan, the drug used to reverse opioid overdoses. 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