"We're already in the double digits for 2021.". Detectives from Berks, Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties worked with the City of Reading Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. (AP) Authorities say an 11-month investigation that began with a drug overdose in southeastern Wisconsin has netted 106 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value up to $6 million. Drug Bust, Murder Charges Among Local News . were among 23 people charged after the investigation of a Berks Investigators seized cocaine and fentanyl with combined value of $4.3 million during what they callOperation Caribbean Snowfall, which resulted in 27 people facing charges. 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. Newspaper Subscription According to Adams, detectives seized large amounts of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and synthetic marijuana, or K2. Alexander Delgado, 34, of Reading, among 26 people arrested Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, in Berks County for . From a distance, they spied Jose Veloz and Ambioris Cruz sitting in a 2005 Nissan Murano on a leafy residential . . were among 23 people charged after the investigation of a Berks County drug ring, according to authorities. The CW Announces Its New 7-Night Primetime Schedule For 2021-2022. The strike force seized a record 14 pounds of meth in a recent operation. We continues to offer free Narcan kits to reverse opioid overdoses; our Blue Cares initiative to encourage individuals to seek treatment following an overdose, and the Warm Hand-off Program, which provides treatment intervention to individuals who enter hospitals with substance use disorders. Read more. Belen has been housed in Berks County Jail since. COVID-19 brought on social and economic hardships that were particularly detrimental for people struggling with addiction. Over 100 law enforcement officers raided those seven locations dismantling the ring in an effort designated Operation SmackDown. Berks County District Attorney John Adams announces 23 arrests. On March 31, 2021, Berks County Commissioners and a panel of experts gave an update on the opioid crisis in the county during the COVID-19 pandemic. Berks County authorities seized these items during a 23-person drug ring bust this week. As a result of the ongoing investigation, City of Reading, members of the Berks County District Attorney's Drug Task Force and the Reading Police Department's Narcotics Unit served a search warrant early this Tuesday on the 100 block of Walnut Street in Reading. The arrests come after police served several warrantson Nov. 3 and 4 to 10 residences in Berks County and one in the 500 block of South Duke Street in Lancaster city in what investigators are calling Operation Caribbean Snowfall. Ten men have been arrested after armed police seized 184 million worth of cocaine smuggled into the UK in boxes of . In 2020, the median property value in Berks County, PA was $187,600, and the homeownership rate was 71%. They said they also nabbed Devon Given of Lancaster, who's accused of helping to supply Rivera with bulk quantities of K2. 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 organization in Berks, Montgomery, and other surrounding counties,according to a Facebook post shared by the Berks County DA office. The remaining amount of benefit can be reassessed in future should they come into further assets. A Reading man described as a "major source" of heroin and fentanyl in Berks County was arrested during a drug bust in the city that also led to the seizure of more than 1,000 packets of drugs . 2022 Hugg Media Group. Search . These parcels were searched, and numerous kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl were discovered and seized. Three of them have been charged with the importation of Class A drugs, while the other seven remain in police custody. Charges: Felony Retail Theft. Assorted packaging material, processing equipment, and a large amount of cutting agents all related to the packaging and processing heroin and cocaine. Authorities arrested Rivera, Arius Cooper, Lynchel Cooper, and John Reppert in Reading. Damarius Patterson, 21, of Marischal Road in Lewisham, Asharm Patterson-Low, 27, of Dunheved Road in Croydon, and Lucy Pinkney, 24, of Limpsfield Avenue in Croydon, all pleaded guilty to supplying Class A drugs at Lewes Crown Court in December 2021. A Reading man described as a "major source" of heroin and fentanyl in Berks County was arrested during a drug bust in the city that also led to the seizure of more than 1,000 packets of Authorities say the suspects are accused of pushing heroin, cocaine and marijuana in several area . Privacy Policy, Donate to us Two people were injured in a shooting at a Berks County medical complex Thursday morning. The arrest warrants were issued by Magisterial District Judge Priscilla Campos. The strike force seized a record 14 pounds of meth in a recent operation. 2021 at 12:15 p.m. | UPDATED: September 23, 2021 at 7:36 a.m. . Rainfall up to 1". It is also part of a larger initiative by the Moran administration to ensure the community has safe streets and neighborhoods. Drugs. The investigation discovered the that defendant, Nunez-Trego is Cruz's girlfriend and they lived at 229 S. Reading Avenue, Boyertown, PA, together. The investiga October 10, 2021, 11:59 am. 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KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) Authorities say an 11-month investigation that began with a drug overdose in southeastern Wisconsin has netted 106 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value up to $6. Berks County authorities seized these items during a 23-person drug ring bust this week. 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. Following the investigation, Berks County Drug Taskforce Detectives learned that officers with the Robeson Township Police Department were dispatched to a home in the 200 block of Furnace Road in Birdsboro on Feb. 4, 2020, for a possible drug overdose resulting in the death of a 40-year-old man, authorities said. Antoine Gaskin, age 48, of Roosevelt. 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. 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. You can also contact Crime Alert Berks County by sending a text to 847411, starting the message with keyword alertberks, or by calling 877-373-9913. It was a nice haul for the Berks County District Attorney's Office. Investigators say that ring made about $20 million dollars in drug sales. There was a problem saving your notification. Washington, D.C. Man Convicted After Nine-Day Trial for Use of a Firearm in Connection with a Murder and a Robbery, and for a Drug Distribution Conspiracy. 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. Man hospitalised after robbery in Camberwell. Several suspects were arrested and drugs were seized. Get local news text alerts on your phone:Text "berksweekly" to 610-426-1515. Skip to main content. Upon interdiction, the driver Grant Amon, 18, Netawaka was arrested on charges of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Berks County got 5,800 doses of vaccine last week; one pharmacy received 1,300 of that . Over the course of the investigation, two undercover officers bought bulk quantities of cocaine and fentanyl, according to the district attorneys office. Chester County is relaunching itsEmergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) on Dec. 12. The average car ownership in Berks County, PA was 2 cars per household. Support local journalism. berks county drug bust 2021. what percentage of baby boomers are millionaires post oak hotel sunday brunch gator patch vs gator pave white sands footprints science. 881. While much of the news wasnt good, with an unfortunate increase in overdose deaths, presenters stressed that treatment and support remain available in the county. There was an error processing your request. berks county drug bust 2021. what percentage of baby boomers are millionaires post oak hotel sunday brunch gator patch vs gator pave white sands footprints science. Peterson first condemned Hamlin on Sunday . "People are dying every day from overdosing on some of the substances that were confiscated in this investigation," said Berks County District Attorney John Adams. bucks county drug bust 2021first photograph ever. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration brought out a heavy hitter an informant paid more than $1.9 million over the past two decades for his tips to help agents seize more . Victims of the overdoses suffered low heart rates and high blood pressure, Adams said. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Error! Pick up your paper here Berks County District Attorney, John Adams, say the investigation began in July 2019 and culminated on November 19, 2020. Wanneer u onze sites en apps gebruikt, gebruiken we, gebruikers authenticeren, veiligheidsmaatregelen toepassen en spam en misbruik voorkomen, en, gepersonaliseerde advertenties en content weergeven op basis van interesseprofielen, de effectiviteit meten van gepersonaliseerde advertenties en content, en, onze producten en services ontwikkelen en verbeteren. Not even halfway through the year, 2021 already has been busy for the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force, evidenced by the . While much of the news wasn't good, with an unfortunate increase in overdose deaths, presenters stressed that treatment and support remain available in the county. Local Services & Trades If you know the whereabouts of Sanabria or Matthew, call the Berks County detectives at 610-478-7171. Shaquan Hinson, age 33, of West Hempstead. On Friday, March 19, 2021, at approximately 10:00 AM, detectives served a search warrant at 216 Moll Aven PUBLISHED: October 13, 2021 at 4:50 a.m. | UPDATED: October 19, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Operation Holiday, the annual giving campaign for children managed by The Mercury and related publications, is . Family Announcements The Berks County District Attorneys Office charged nearly 30 identified as being involved in a large-scale drug ring, including one person in Lancaster city. Speakers included: County Commissioner Kevin S. Barnhardt; Acting Berks County Coroner Jonn M. Hollenbach; Berks County District Attorney John Adams; Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA) Executive Director Stanley Papademetriou; COCA Community Programs Specialist; and Chief of the Division of Addiction Medicine at Tower Health, Dr. William Santoro. Whether you are interested in County services, the availability of our parks, tax rates, or other county information, this is the place to start. Postal Service Inspectors, U.S. 48 charged in major drug bust in Berks County. The combined law enforcement team utilized all investigative means and tools at their disposal. Those highlighted in red are in custody the others are still at large. Your email address will not be published. Newspaper Email The suspected members of the drug ring still at large are: Further details about them were unavailable. Berks Regional News Trio busted, nearly $300K worth of drugs seized in Berks Caitlin Rearden Jan 26, 2021 Updated Mar 24, 2021 SHILLINGTON, Pa. - A drug bust has taken nearly $300,000 worth of. 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. 48 charged in major drug bust in Berks County. Tips to help protect your smartphone from thieves, RAW: DISNEYLAND REMOVES "ZIP-A-DEE-DOO-DAH" LYRIC FROM PARADE, Ed Sheeran thanks Taylor Swift for linking him with Aaron Dessner, ABBA's 'Voyage' avatar concert in talks to go on a world tour, Rebel Wilson describes getting banned from Disneyland over 'illegal' bathroom selfie, Jennifer Hudson 'didn't need to win American Idol', I'm an open book with my fans, says Christina Aguilera. Categories: News, Eyewitness Extras, . His home at 119 N. Third St. was one of the locations that was raided. "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. How to do some spring cleaning on your smartphone, What the Tech? Submit a Tip. Berks County got 5,800 doses of vaccine last week; one pharmacy received 1,300 of that . The drug seizure. Packaging material related to the packaging and processing heroin and cocaine. As the coordinating agency for publicly supported drug and alcohol programming in Berks County, the Council on Chemical Abuse provides prevention education, intervention and recovery for those impacted by the opioid epidemic. Submit it to our regional reporter, Chester County relaunching Emergency Rental Assistance Program; here's how to use it, Pa Department of Agriculture announces $300K in funding to support farms, Tuesday fire at Lebanon County farm causes $12 million in damages, kills 250,000 chickens, Coatesville Invitational Vintage Grand Prix donates $10,000 to Coatesville Park and Rec, 2 people reportedly injured in shooting at Berks County medical facility: report, 27.5 kilograms of cocaine (bulk value $770,000.00 / potential street value of $2.7 million), 5.5 kilograms of fentanyl (bulk value $203,500.00 / potential street value of $1.6 million), 4 hydraulic floor jacks, steel plates and a steel H frame for the pressing of kilos of cocaine and heroin/fentanyl, More than $60,000.00 U.S. in cash believed to be the proceeds of the sales of controlled substances. READING, Pa. (WPVI) -- A major drug ring operating in Berks County is now out of business. All remained in Montgomery County Prison as of Monday afternoon: Coleman under $750,000 bail . Source: Caernarvon Township Police Department. "/> Polk county wi drug bust 2021 lincoln mark v forum. Public Notices, Jobs/Recruitment If it wasnt for fentanyl the number of deaths would be significantly less, Hollenbach said. At 450 S. 7th Street, Detectives found documents pertaining to the member (s) of the organization, documents pertaining to approximately $87,000.00 in funds from a bank account associated with Luis Madera-Pacheco. Press Release. Over the course of the investigation, dubbed Operation Caribbean Snowfall, two undercover officers infiltrated this organization and purchased bulk quantities of cocaine and fentanyl. The investigation did not stop there, Adams said. Sixto Cruz, 62, George L. Cruz, 53, and Margos Hernandez, 38, were taken into custody on Sept. 14 by members of the Berks County District Attorney's Office's Drug Task Force and the Reading Police . All site content on the CRIMEWATCH portal is the specific and unquestionable property of the appropriate law enforcement agency that maintains, manages and administers content. 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. On Friday, the final of three confiscation orders were completed, where it was heard they had benefitted to the sum of 112,092.73 each. Crime 'No Place for Hate' Mural Vandalized in Boyertown . Metropolitan Police. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); News Als u niet wilt dat wij en onze partners cookies en persoonsgegevens voor deze aanvullende doeleinden gebruiken, klik dan op 'Alles weigeren'. Berks County elections officials say the first round of mail-in ballots for the Nov. 2 election should be sent to voters this week. Berks County Opioid Settlement Funds Click here to learn more or apply. An Oley Township police corporal investigating a hit-and-run crash this weekended up taking down a major pot-growing operation instead, the Berks County District Attorney's office said. An open-and-shut drug case, the property could be confiscated using a legal procedure known as civil asset forfeiture, which allows authorities to take money, cars and other assets of those suspected of selling drugs even before a person is charged or found guilty. Broken Rules: A free panel on Pa.'s medical release law for state prisoners. Authorities conducted "Operation Shattered" on Wednesday morning. February 21, 2023. Including trials, murders and missing persons cases. A fire at a poultry farm in Lebanon County burned for several hours Tuesday, causing millions of dollars in damages and killing 250,000 chicke, At Monday's Coatesville City Council meeting, members of an event committee presented a $10,000 donation to the city Parks and Recreation Comm. Drug bust gets heroin off street . What started with a lower-level street cocaine dealer in Cumberland County became the bust of a multi-million-dollar drug ring, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom . COVID has been horrible for addiction, said Santoro. Get local news text alerts on your phone: Text "berksweekly" to 610-426-1515 Postal Service (USPS) case where they were investigating parcels of cocaine and fentanyl being shipped from Mexico and Puerto Rico to Reading, according to the post. Search form. Adams said that all of the suspects, if convicted, face substantial jail time and fines in excess of $100,000. Menu. Reading Members of a Reading-area drug ring used violence, kidnapping and six murders in less than two months to control and expand the territory where they sold heroin, fentanyl and other . locally owned digital newspaper covering the latest regional news and headlines in the City of Reading and Berks . Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing: A free country needs a free press, and the newspapers of our country are under significant financial pressure. . . Adams did not specify how the locations and suspects were connected to the blue packets that caused the September overdoses. 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. All Rights Reserved. John Coles, head of specialist operations at the NCA, said: The numbers here speak for themselves; this is a massive seizure which has denied organised criminals hundreds of millions in profits, and is the result of a targeted investigation conducted jointly by the NCA and Met Police. A beginners guide to requesting public records on Pa. law enforcement, Senate Bill 891 Passes the Appropriations Committee, 473 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 68,186, DHS, Maternity Care Coalition Highlight Extension of Postpartum Coverage Period, Learn to Record and Produce your Own Podcast, Twenty-seven and half (27.5) kilograms of cocaine were seized (bulk value $770,000.00 / potential street value of $2.7 million), Five and half (5.5) kilograms of fentanyl were seized (bulk value $203,500.00 / potential street value of $1.6 million), Four (4) hydraulic floor jacks, steel plates, steel H frame for the pressing of kilos of cocaine and heroin/fentanyl, Over one hundred-twenty (120) rounds ammunition, Over $60,000.00 U.S. currency believed to be the proceeds of the sales of controlled substances. Danny PIOTRKOWSKI is wanted for felony charges on . The latest news headlines from across Lancaster County, delivered every evening at 7 p.m. All five are charged with corrupt organizations, criminal use of a cellphone and numerous drug charges. Arnaldo Rodriguez-Rosario, age 30, 609 S. 18 Street, Reading, PA, Stephen Santiago, age 49, 329 Locust Street, Reading, PA, Roberto Cruz-Rodriguez, age 52, 636 S. 17 Street, Reading, PA, Ramon Cruz-Cruz, age 35, 3226 Montrose Ave., Lauredale, PA, Brigido Casilla-Cabral, age 44, 133 West Windsor Street, Reading, PA, Studio & Offices: 401 Penn Street, Reading PA, Suite 162, Alvernia University CollegeTowne. Some of those drugs included heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Recommended Stories Fox News Good Samaritan chases down. Soap not available at the sink: Berks County restaurant inspections Dec. 1, 3 fatal shootings in one week; teen secretly recorded teacher: Lancaster County crime stories for November 2022, Know an interesting story in the areas surrounding Lancaster County? 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. Tornielli said his department received complaints about illegal drug sales coming from a home in the 300 block of North 8th Street. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 2022-06-30; Raid leads to major drug bust in Reading, two arrested By Jason Hugg 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. Please enable JavaScript to properly view our site. New Starbucks line a curiosity in Italy, Nan Goldin is going to the Oscars, and she wants to win, What the Tech? About Us; For Criminal Justice; For the Public; In the News; Directory. Anthony Rota, of Boyertown, was heading west on Route 422 when he lost control and struck a guardrail around 8:30 a.m. in Exeter, according to police. The cocaine had already been removed by Border Force officers at Portsmouth International Port on Sunday after the consignment arrived on a cargo ship from Columbia the previous day. Click here to learn about our prevention education programsthat teach children and teens the skills needed to avoid drug abuse.