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. Individuals were arrested Thursday in an early-morning round-up. The defendants were charged with committing offenses involving violations of the PA Crimes Code and the PA Controlled Substance Act, delivery of controlled substances which included bulk amounts of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, corrupt organization, and criminal use of communication facility. The arrest warrants were issued by Magisterial District Judge Priscilla Campos.
In July of 2022, detectives from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office identified a drug dealer operating in Norristown, PA who was distributing cocaine. 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. 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 member’s communications. 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. The combined law enforcement team utilized all investigative means and tools at their disposal.
Over the course of the investigation, dubbed ‘Operation Caribbean Snowfall’, two undercover officers infiltrated this organization and purchased bulk quantities of cocaine and fentanyl. Additionally, numerous parcels destined for residences in Reading, PA were interdicted and seized by USPS Inspectors. These parcels were searched, and numerous kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl were discovered and seized.
On November 3rd and 4th, 2022, search warrants were obtained and served at the following locations:
- 322 N. 12th Street, Reading, PA
- 25 Hancock Blvd. 7th Street, Reading, PA
- 640 S. 7th Street, Reading, PA
- 925 Culvert Street, Reading, PA
- 1605 Perkiomen Ave, Reading, PA
- 1327 Ave C, Reading, PA
- 1323 Good Street, Reading, PA
- 810A N. 10th Street, Reading, PA
- 1220 N 9th Street, Reading, PA
- 416 Arch Street Norristown, PA
- 566 S Duke Street, Lancaster, PA
As a result of this investigation, the following summary of items of evidence were recovered and seized:
- 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
- Six (6) handguns
- Four (4) “Drum Style” gun magazines
- 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
- Forty (40) cellular phones
- Assorted packaging material, processing equipment, and a large amount of cutting agents all related to the packaging and processing heroin and cocaine.
The arrested individuals were transported to the Sheriff’s Central Processing Unit and are awaiting arraignment. Those highlighted in red are in custody the others are still at large.
- Carlos Lopez Rosado, age 46, Federal Correctional Institute Schuylkill, Minersville, PA
- Jessica Lopez-Albino, age 37, 1605 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, PA
- Julio Echevarria-Estremera, age 30, 25 Hancock Blvd., Reading, PA
- Edwin Malave, age 55, 531 Minor Street, Reading, PA
- Jeremy Morales, age 30,(25 Culvert Street, Reading, PA
- Roddy Sanchez-Martinez, age 28, 1327 Ave. C, Reading, PA
- Victor Rodriguez, age 55, 416 Arch Street, Norristown, PA
- Juan Ortiz, age 38, 214 west 40th Street, Exeter, PA
- Alex Rube Valentin Rios, age 32, 566 South Duke Street, Lancaster, PA
- Omar Colon-Cruz, age 45, 521 Minor Street, Reading, PA
- Christian Arroyo-Rivera, age 21, 810A N. 10th Street, Reading, PA
- Arnaldo Rodriguez-Rosario, age 30, 609 S. 18 ½ Street, Reading, PA
- Miguel Cruz-Ortiz, age 34, 28S. 6th Street, Reading, PA
- Richard Rivera Maldonado, age 49, 711 Bear Blvd., Reading, PA
- Stephen Santiago, age 49, 329 Locust Street, Reading, PA
- Idris Williams, age 44, 1323 Good Street, Reading, PA
- Erick Alvarado-Rivera, age 25, 527 Elm Street, Reading, PA
- Roberto Cruz-Rodriguez, age 52, 636 S. 17 ½ Street, Reading, PA
- Ramon Cruz-Cruz, age 35, 3226 Montrose Ave., Lauredale, PA
- Milton Hernandez-Ferrer, age 72, 540 East High Street, Pottstown, PA
- Jason McGettigan, age 25, 1501 New Hope Street, Norristown, PA
- Andrew Malave, age 38, 531 Minor Street, Reading, PA
- Zuleslie Hernandez-Rosado, age 29, 925 Culvert Street, Reading, PA
- Brigido Casilla-Cabral, age 44, 133 West Windsor Street, Reading, PA
- Arnold Felix-Castro, age 30, 319 S. 13th Street, Reading, PA
- Raquel Rivera- Maldonado, age 45, 322 N. 12th Street Reading PA
- Jose Escobar-Camacho, age 39, 322 N. 12th Street Reading PA
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.
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