Bond: $10,000. 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. The investigation was unable to identify the exact source of the drugs used by the people who overdosed and who died, Adams said. . ENTERTAINMENT. Authorities arrested Rivera, Arius Cooper, Lynchel Cooper, and John Reppert in Reading. Adams said that a Reading Hospital doctor told him that ingesting the powerful cocktail amounted to an outright poisoning. 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. "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," said Berks County District Attorney John Adams. YAHOO PLUS. "Numerous parcels destined for residences in Reading, Pa., were intercepted and seized by the postal service," Adams said. 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. Submit a Tip! As of Thursday afternoon, 17 of the 27 defendants were in custody following raids in the early-morning hours. 2022 Hugg Media Group. "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. Some of the patients admitted into the hospital on Saturday are still experiencing symptoms today, the doctor said. 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. Search form. 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. The bust happened at the Candlewood Suites on Copeland Avenue in La Crosse Tuesday. 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. 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(WPVI) -- A major drug ring operating in Berks County is now out of business. 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. 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. "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. He has been a journalist since 2006 either as a freelancer or on staff at a local newspaper. Officials believe the blue bags that have been found contain heroin, fentanyl, lidocaine, xylazine and clonidine. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. The indictment in USA v. Rhaney et al, dubbed Operation Washout, represents a significant, coordinated attack on . 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. Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices, cap costs at $35 for many people with diabetes. More than $1 million worth of meth, fentanyl and heroin were seized. "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. June 24, 2014, 1:44 PM. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. There was an error processing your request. Investigators said they obtained and served search warrants at these locations on Nov. 3 and 4. were among 23 people charged after the investigation of a Berks Robinson was sentenced in December 2021 to 7 to 15 years in state prison. The investigation was forwarded to the WRPD Criminal. 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. Search . "It made a big dent in that specific organization's income and supply," Pentheny said, "but just like anything else, you arrest one person and there's multiple people lining up to take their place. In May 2021, PSP provided the results of its investigation to Pennsylvania Senior Deputy Attorney General Heather Castellino for presentment to the 45th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury. Authorities said they seized evidence that included 27.5 kilograms of cocaine with a potential street value of $2.7 million and 5.5 kilograms of fentanyl with a potential street value of $1.6 million. The suspected members of the drug ring taken into custody Wednesday were: Adams did not provide ages or addresses for the suspects. There was a problem saving your notification. FINANCE. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Berks County District Attorney John Adams announced the completion of Operation Ice Out on Wednesday. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. There was a problem saving your notification. of marijuana (street value of $31,783), 791 grams of bulk MDMA (street value of $7,919), in addition to various pistols and rifles. We will continue until we can stamp out the ultimate source.. 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. 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. 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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. Breezy at times too.. Mostly cloudy with a shower possible late. Two of the three raids recovered 500 blue bags that contained heroin, fentanyl and other drugs, Adams said. 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, 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. 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. "Clearly, the ones that have the high bails were the leaders of this corrupt organization.". 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