He added that Narcan, an injection used to counter opioid overdoses, was ineffective. 2001 - 20097 10 . Cheryl Pentheny. 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. Over the course of the investigation, dubbed Operation Caribbean Snowfall, two undercover officers infiltrated this organization and purchased bulk quantities of cocaine and fentanyl. Postal workers also came in close contact with the heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. 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. NFL running back Adrian Peterson, who was furious after seeing Damar Hamlin's jacket at the Super Bowl, said he has now personally reached out to the 24-year-old athlete to express his thoughts. Investigators said they believe the drugs came into Schuylkill from Luzerne County, although they are unaware how the drugs were transported to Luzerne. "During this investigation, troopers determined that Irizarry was associated with numerous other significant illegal drug traffickers," Adams said. You have permission to edit this article. The female victims received payments from the customers which they would then turn over to either Rivera, Ellis or Thompson. We promise, as we have promised previously, we will continue to investigate and prosecute these peddlers of poison in our community, he said. 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WHYY thanks our sponsors become a WHYY sponsor Authorities have busted a large-scale drug operation that was centered in Berks County but stretched far beyond its border. ENTERTAINMENT. The indictment in USA v. Rhaney et al, dubbed Operation Washout, represents a significant, coordinated attack on . Authorities announced the arrest of 48 people during an . 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). 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. Adams said the arrests made this week do not represent the end of the investigation. You have permission to edit this article. "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. "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. "Clearly, the ones that have the high bails were the leaders of this corrupt organization.". As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest occurred or a complaint has been filed is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Berks County. & Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; 35 780-113(a)(31) Possession of small amount of marijuana; Source: Douglass Township Police Department. LinkedIn . 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. Error! 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. Investigators said they confiscated 765 grams of cocaine, more than 450 grams of methamphetamine, more than 925 grams of marijuana, and 434 grams of heroin and fentanyl, plus paraphernalia and cash. Officers representing several agencies executed warrants to search two addresses in the county, one on Meade Terrace in Shillington and the other on South Seventh Street in Reading, following a city police vice unit investigation. Individuals were arrested Thursday in an early-morning round-up. Adams issued a public health alert on Sept. 13 in response to the rash of overdoses. The arrest warrants were issued by Magisterial District Judge Priscilla Campos. According to Adams, detectives seized large amounts of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and synthetic marijuana, or K2. How Supreme Court ruling could affect how we use social media. Milder with a mix of clouds and sun. A WRPD Officer responded, spoke to the victim and initiated an investigation. "This amount is a fairly conservative estimate.". PHOTOS: Suspects in Berks County drug bust. "The principal participants in one organization were identified as Angel Concepcion-Collazo and Angel Morales-Rivera," Adams said. Adams said that six individuals believed to be involved in the ring remain at large. They said they also nabbed Devon Given of Lancaster, who's accused of helping to supply Rivera with bulk quantities of K2. "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 that six months, we determined that this organization was responsible for distributing over $10 million of controlled substances," Adams said. While the Berks source of the tainted drugs has been stamped out, there is evidence that the local ring is part of a bigger drug network that stretches into other cities and states, he said. "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. Your contribution makes community media possible. . 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. Authorities said Noel Rivera, 28, ran the organization out of Berks County. HOME. Authorities arrested Dean DaSilva in Shillington and William Roman-Aponte in Reading. A 25-year-old Berks County man has been charged with sexual abuse of a child, along with other charges. Now officials believe there is another unknown substance in the drug cocktail causing the overdoses. 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. A woman was also arrested inShillington and charged. 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. Investigators said they obtained and served search warrants at these locations on Nov. 3 and 4. "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. We will continue until we can stamp out the ultimate source.. In early 2020, a confidential source provided information that led PSP Organized Crime Unit investigators to develop several leads and to identify multiple victims involved in the human trafficking ring. Officials: 3 arrested in human trafficking ring in Berks County. berks county drug bust 2021duck jerky dog treats recall. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Search form. Error! Montgomery County authorities announced the arrests of more than 30 people involved in what they say was . 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. On 16 June 2014, Wayda was arrested in Toms River, NJ. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. 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. 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 . 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. 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. October 21, 2021, 12:20 pm Raid leads to major drug bust in Reading, two arrested Watch on 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. 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. Assorted packaging material, processing equipment, and a large amount of cutting agents all related to the packaging and processing heroin and cocaine. 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. "These seized parcels contained four kilograms of cocaine," Adams said. Berks County District Attorney, John Adams, say the investigation began in July 2019 and culminated on November 19, 2020. Crime Alert Berks County: Two sought in theft of $150,000 worth of jewelry. / . Authorities announced the arrest of 48 people during an undercover investigation known as "Operation. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. 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? You have permission to edit this article. Authorities said the organization's leader was Carlos Lopez Rosado, an inmate at a federal prison in Schuylkill County. 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. Berks County Detectives were assisted in the investigation by Troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police, members of the Berks County Drug Task Force, and Officers from the City of Reading Police Department. I would like to take this time to publicly commend them for all their efforts and hard work that often go unnoticed. Bail was set at $1,000,000 for each defendant. 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. Berks County Courthouse . This does not match the symptoms we would expect from xylazine (the horse tranquilizer), Santoro said. Search form. 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. The person police said ran it all? Those charges were later dropped. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. Breezy at times too.. Mostly cloudy with a shower possible late. Authorities arrested Rivera, Arius Cooper, Lynchel Cooper, and John Reppert in Reading. 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. Berks Countians agree wholeheartedly, as they've voted SMYMCA Best Summer Camp seven years in a row. LIFE. It is also part of a larger initiative by the Moran administration to ensure the community has safe streets and neighborhoods. "Then those packages and parcels were destined to come to Reading.". You have permission to edit this article. 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. These parcels were searched, and numerous kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl were discovered and seized. Authorities said he's 46-year-old Carlos Lopez Rosado, who coordinated some deals from inside a federal prison in Schuylkill County. Breezy at times too.. Mostly cloudy with a shower possible late. Wednesdays raid should serve as a message to those in the illegal drug trade, the DA said. Success! 12 suspects are in prison and more than $1 million of drugs were seized in a large drug bust in Schuylkill County. 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. . Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. As of Thursday afternoon, 17 of the 27 defendants were in custody following raids in the early-morning hours. 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. The investigation involved detectives from Berks, Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties, the Reading Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Postal Service inspectors, United States Homeland Security investigators, and the Liberty Mid-Atlantic High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. "They have polluted this community and, frankly, they have polluted many communities throughout our state with this poison," Adams said. 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