berks county drug bust 2021
On November 3rd and 4th, 2022, search warrants were obtained and served at the following locations: As a result of this investigation, the following summary of items of evidence were recovered and seized: The arrested individuals were transported to the Sheriffs Central Processing Unit and are awaiting arraignment. 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!' Two-thirds of the patients that have presented with overdose symptoms had to be hospitalized, he added. 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. BCTV is a community driven content platform. 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. Additionally, because of the scope of the investigation, detectives from Berks, Bucks, Chester and Montgomery Counties teamed up with the City of Reading Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Postal Service Inspectors, United States Homeland Security Investigations and the Liberty Mid-Atlantic HIDTA. 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. The Berks County district attorney's office provided photos related to a drug investigation dubbed "Operation Blue Crystal.". 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. 2. David Mekeel is a general assignment reporter for the Reading Eagle. Here's what to know. Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices, cap costs at $35 for many people with diabetes. 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. Here's what to know. Adams issued a public health alert on Sept. 13 in response to the rash of overdoses. You have permission to edit this article. 2022 Hugg Media Group. 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.". The symptoms are lasting days and not hours or minutes. Milder with a mix of clouds and sun. He added that Narcan, an injection used to counter opioid overdoses, was ineffective. 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. 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"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. | Credit: Courtesy of S.B. 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. 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. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Khmelnytsky, Ukraine. Those highlighted in red are in custody the others are still at large. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. Breezy at times too.. Mostly cloudy with a shower possible late. Officers seized 200 bags of suspected heroin/fentanyl, 10.5 grams of suspected bulk cocaine, 141 bags of suspected cocaine packaged for street sales, drug packaging material. Authorities announced criminal charges against 27 people for allegedly operating a large-scale drug trafficking organization in Berks, Montgom. 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. "If you're a drug dealer in Schuylkill County be careful. Error! 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). 633 Court Street. Here's what to know. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. 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. Twelve of 14 suspects are in prison, while the other two remain at large. The group smuggled bulk quantities of cocaine through the mail from Puerto Rico to Berks County, officials said. A total of twenty-three mid to high-level suspects were identified and charged with committing offenses involving violations of the PA Crimes . 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Berks Weekly is an independent and locally owned digital newspaper covering the City of Reading and Berks County. / . "These defendants were a very successful drug trafficking operation until now," said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele. Several suspects were arrested and drugs were seized. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. I would like to take this time to publicly commend them for all their efforts and hard work that often go unnoticed. According to Adams, detectives seized large amounts of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and synthetic marijuana, or K2. On 16 June 2014, Wayda was arrested in Toms River, NJ. "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," Adams said. . Law enforcement officials raided a home in the 100 block of Walnut Street in Reading on Tuesday and arrested three people. The district attorney said that the intelligence gathered during the investigation showed that the street level dealers who were arrested in September got the drugs they sold from the targets of Wednesdays raids. Crime Map; Site; Home; About Us. As of Thursday afternoon, 17 of the 27 defendants were in custody following raids in the early-morning hours. We're coming to get you,"O'Pake 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. Information on charges and bail was taken from court documents. ", "I call fentanyl the common denominator of death.". The defendants were preliminary arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Gail Greth. qy. 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. Over the course of the investigation, dubbed Operation Caribbean Snowfall, two undercover officers infiltrated this organization and purchased bulk quantities of cocaine and fentanyl. 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. Thieves memorizing passcodes to cellphones so they can try to steal money, What the Tech? "We're already in the double digits for 2021.". That does not mean the source has been eliminated completely, Adams said. Berks County authorities announced the arrest of 48 people during an undercover investigation known as "Operation Tourniquet". Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices, cap costs at $35 for many people with diabetes. You have permission to edit this article. Detectives arrested the alleged leader of the organization, Luis Pacheco, and his main underling, Jose Antonio Torres-Rodriguez, while serving the search warrant at 343 S. 7th Street. 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. Milder with a mix of clouds and sun. Authorities said they also seized six handguns, four drum-style gun magazines, more than 120 rounds of ammunition, more than $60,000 in cash, and 40 cell phones. Error! 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. "This amount is a fairly conservative estimate.". 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. 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. 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. 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berks county drug bust 2021