"I am certain that the penalties he's going to face, if and when convicted, will be extremely severe," Adams said, "so he will be incarcerated for a long, long, long time.". "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. 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. Search. The group smuggled bulk quantities of cocaine through the mail from Puerto Rico to Berks County, officials said. Postal workers also came in close contact with the heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. Berks County. 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. The defendants were preliminary arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Gail Greth. The suspected members of the drug ring still at large are: Further details about them were unavailable. Authorities said they also seized nine vehicles, more than $200,000 in cash, and 21 guns during the searches. The opioid crisis is an epidemic amid a pandemic and cannot be ignored. of marijuana (street value of $31,783), 791 grams of bulk MDMA (street value of $7,919), in addition to various pistols and rifles. 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. We will continue until we can stamp out the ultimate source.. 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. Campers can experience a variety of activities from archery to horseback riding. Some patients have complained of hallucinations and shortness of breath, he added. 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 Adams, say the investigation began in July 2019 and culminated on November 19, 2020. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams, at microphone, is joined by other law enforcement officials Thursday to announce arrests in a drug ring responsible for selling opioids that led. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. They say it is resistant to Narcan, the drug used to reverse opioid overdoses. There was an error processing your request. Wednesdays raid should serve as a message to those in the illegal drug trade, the DA 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 announced results of the joint investigation during a news conference in Reading on Thursday. All Rights Reserved. The combined law enforcement team utilized all investigative means and tools at their disposal. 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. Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices, cap costs at $35 for many people with diabetes. About Us; For Criminal Justice; For the Public; In the News; Directory. "Were working with our state law enforcement partners to seek out and shut down human trafficking throughout Pennsylvania. 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. There was an error processing your request. Over the course of the investigation, detectives said they also seized six handguns, $60,000 cash and 40 cell phones. 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. 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. Multi-million dollar drug operation busted in Berks, DA says, Investigation dubbed 'Operation Last Hurrah', 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. Investigators also seized narcotics, drug packaging materials, and a firearm. 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. Here's what to know. Officials believe the blue bags that have been found contain heroin, fentanyl, lidocaine, xylazine and clonidine. 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. Thieves memorizing passcodes to cellphones so they can try to steal money, What the Tech? 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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, DA: Fentanyl a factor in increasing overdose deaths, State agents arrest Georgia man with more than 3 pounds of meth, 2020 overdose deaths highest-ever recorded in Berks, 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. "We will extradite them from anywhere to face justice here in our county.". Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. NEWS. "Stop selling your poison in our communities, because it's not going to be tolerated," Steele said, "and with these arrests, I think we severed a pipeline in our region.". Over 100 law enforcement officers raided those seven locations dismantling the ring in an effort designated Operation SmackDown. By Reading Eagle. Peterson first condemned Hamlin on Sunday . BCTV is a community driven content platform. As a result of the investigation, Maximino Lopez Suarez, age 34, and Jesse William Garcia, age 24, were taken into custody and charged with multiple counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, and criminal conspiracy. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. The bust happened at the Candlewood Suites on Copeland Avenue in La Crosse Tuesday. 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. The Berks County district attorney's office provided photos related to a drug investigation dubbed "Operation Blue Crystal.". That is why charges like involuntary manslaughter or assault are not being levied. The symptoms are lasting days and not hours or minutes. The investigation was part of the departments Operation Cease Fire initiative, which is designed to reduce violence through the use of targeted enforcement details. Montgomery County authorities announced the arrests of more than 30 people involved in what they say was . The organization utilized numerous sites within their territory as stash houses, points of sales and means to launder proceeds. 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. We will continue our efforts to stamp out the sources that are contributing to the scourge in our community said District Attorney John T. Adams. Two-thirds of the patients that have presented with overdose symptoms had to be hospitalized, he added. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. 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). Hector M. Rivera, 50, of Reading, PA; Dushawn O. Ellis, 31, of Reading, PA; and Bridget M. Thompson, 36, of Lancaster, PA were charged with various crimes related to corrupt organizations, trafficking individuals, prostitution, and other related offenses. Sheriff's Office By Tyler Hayden Thu May 06, 2021 | 7:49am Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) The blue bags seem to be the bags that contain the substances that are causing all of the overdoses in our community, Adams said. A total of twenty-three mid to high-level suspects were identified and charged with committing offenses involving violations of the PA Crimes . All Rights Reserved. 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. 2001 - 20097 10 . 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? This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Authorities announced criminal charges against 27 people for allegedly operating a large-scale drug trafficking organization in Berks, Montgom. Breezy at times too.. Mostly cloudy with a shower possible late. 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. 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