Success! 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. "Today, 27 defendants were charged with operating a large-scale drug trafficking organization that operated in Berks and Montgomery counties and other surrounding counties," Berks County. Narcan does not reverse the effect of whatever this toxin is, Santoro said. I look at this as more of a poisoning rather than an overdose.. "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. Updated: 4:07 AM EDT September 15, 2021 READING, Pa. Berks County law enforcement officials announced Tuesday they have arrested three suspected drug traffickers allegedly responsible for. Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices, cap costs at $35 for many people with diabetes. 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. A total of 101 people were hospitalized in a matter of a few days in mid-September, with three dying. Here's what to know. Berks County Courthouse . 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. He has been a journalist since 2006 either as a freelancer or on staff at a local newspaper. The arrest warrants were issued by Magisterial District Judge Priscilla Campos. . "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. Two of the three raids recovered 500 blue bags that contained heroin, fentanyl and other drugs, Adams said. Authorities arrested Rivera, Arius Cooper, Lynchel Cooper, and John Reppert in Reading. Detectives from the Berks County District Attorneys Office have dismantled a large-scale illegal drug distribution network headquartered in the south side of the City of Reading. The defendants were preliminary arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Gail Greth. They put their victims lives at risk for a profit," said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. 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. 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. Seventeen others were apprehended on Thursday; seven remain at large. "During that six months, we determined that this organization was responsible for distributing over $10 million of controlled substances," Adams said. The investigation was part of the departments Operation Cease Fire initiative, which is designed to reduce violence through the use of targeted enforcement details. 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. How Supreme Court ruling could affect how we use social media. . Reading, PA 19601 p. 610-478-6208. Those taken into custody include Aurelio Carrazana-Sanchez, the suspected head of the ring. "The FedEx's, UPS and U.S. Mail are unfortunately being utilized by the bad guys to ship their product to our area from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Mexico," Adams said. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. Adams said that all of the suspects, if convicted, face substantial jail time and fines in excess of $100,000. 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. Berks Weekly is an independent, locally owned digital newspaper covering the latest regional news and headlines in the City of Reading and Berks County, Pennsylvania. David Mekeel is a general assignment reporter for the Reading Eagle. Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices, cap costs at $35 for many people with diabetes. By noon Tuesday, the overdoses increased to 101, Adams said. Authorities in Bucks County have charged Christian Ochoa, 28, of Laredo, Texas, in connection with a multi-million dollar drug bust that District Attorney Matthew Weintraub said removed kilos of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine from local streets. We will continue until we can stamp out the ultimate source.. "We're already in the double digits for 2021.". Here's what to know. All Rights Reserved. This does not match the symptoms we would expect from xylazine (the horse tranquilizer), Santoro said. Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices, cap costs at $35 for many people with diabetes. 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. The investigation did not stop there, Adams said. ", DOWNLOAD:FOX 29 NEWS APP | FOX 29 WEATHER AUTHORITY APP, SUBSCRIBE:Good Day Digest Newsletter|FOX 29 Philly on YouTube. 2022 Hugg Media Group. READING, Pa. Investigators dub it "Operation Caribbean Snowfall.". But we do believe there are other sources and they may still be active.. Adams did not specify how the locations and suspects were connected to the blue packets that caused the September overdoses. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Berks County. Berks Countians agree wholeheartedly, as they've voted SMYMCA Best Summer Camp seven years in a row. You have permission to edit this article. If you know the. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. SHOPPING. LIFE. 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. 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. LinkedIn, . Peterson first condemned Hamlin on Sunday . These parcels were searched, and numerous kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl were discovered and seized. 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. "Today, 27 defendants were charged with operating a large-scale drug trafficking organization that operated in Berks and Montgomery counties and other surrounding counties," Berks County District Attorney John Adams said during a news conference in Reading on Thursday. There was a problem saving your notification. "They have polluted this community and, frankly, they have polluted many communities throughout our state with this poison," Adams said. Analysis Specialist. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. 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"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. "If you're a drug dealer in Schuylkill County be careful. Victims of the overdoses suffered low heart rates and high blood pressure, 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. 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 culminated with millions of dollars worth of drugs being taken off the streets and a major operation now out of service. 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. "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. (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. NEWS. 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. Robinson was sentenced in December 2021 to 7 to 15 years in state prison. "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. Individuals were arrested Thursday in an early-morning round-up. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. His home at 119 N. Third St. was one of the locations that was raided. LinkedIn . The other organization, officials said, orchestrated deliveries of methamphetamine from other areas of the United States, including Los Angeles, with plans to deliver the drug to surrounding counties, including Lancaster, Lehigh, and Schuylkill. Berks County District Attorney, John Adams, say the investigation began in July 2019 and culminated on November 19, 2020. For kids ages 6 to 17, South Mountain YMCA Camps (SMYMCA) is the perfect destination for adventure, friendship and lifelong memories. The investigation was unable to identify the exact source of the drugs used by the people who overdosed and who died, Adams said. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. Source: West Reading Police Department Charges: Breezy at times too.. Mostly cloudy with a shower possible late. The investigation was forwarded to the WRPD Criminal. 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. 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Gov. 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. 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? Schuylkill County District Attorney Michael O'Pake says the ring had been dealing drugs for years and more arrests could be coming. 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