‘Operation Powder Burn’: 20 Caught In Largest Gun Bust In Orange County History, DA Says
A massive, eight-month investigation into an illegal gun and drug trafficking ring operating out of Orange County has resulted in the arrest of 20 people and the recovery of more than 55 firearms, hundreds of grams of drugs, and over $65,000 in cash, prosecutors announced.
Dubbed “Operation Powder Burn,” the coordinated effort spanned multiple states and involved local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, making it the largest gun trafficking case in Orange County history, District Attorney David M. Hoovler said in an announcement on Friday, Aug. 1.
The investigation re…
220 Bags Of Fentanyl, Loaded Gun Seized In Reading Drug Bust: DA
A Reading man was arrested after a raid turned up hundreds of bags of fentanyl and a loaded gun, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office announced on Thursday, July 24.
Christian Vazquez-Perez, 30, was taken into custody when detectives served a search warrant at his home on the 500 block of Mulberry Street around 9:20 a.m., the DA’s Drug Task Force said.
Inside, authorities seized:
220 packets of fentanyl,
A fully loaded Palmetto State Armory 9mm semi-automatic pistol,
An Ohaus digital scale,
Packaging materials,
A small bag containing suspected cocaine,
$334 in suspected drug money,…
Machete, Drugs, Cash Found On Cedar Grove Driver In Clifton: Cops
A Cedar Grove man was arrested after Clifton police found a machete, drugs packaged for sale, and thousands in cash inside his van, authorities said.
The incident happened around 3:47 a.m. on Friday, July 11, near Central Avenue and Russel Street, according to Clifton Police Lt. Robert Anderson.
Officers Benjamin Bressel and Samantha Beazley were on patrol when they pulled over a 2012 Honda Odyssey for multiple non-moving violations.
While speaking with the driver, identified as Zamir Rodriguez, 26, officers noticed a machete between the driver’s seat and center console, police said.
Addi…
Mom Sells Daughter For Drugs, Allentown Man Picks Up Next Victim From School In Uber, DA Says
An Allentown man who raped a 12-year-old girl after she was sold to him for cash and drugs, and lured another from middle school using an Uber, will serve up to five decades in state prison, authorities announced on Tuesday, July 22.
Joshua Mickey Martel, 32, pleaded guilty to Rape of a Child, Trafficking in Individuals, and Statutory Sexual Assault, all felonies of the first degree, according to Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan.
Martel was sentenced to 21 to 50 years in state prison by Judge Robert L. Steinberg and must register for life as a sexual offender, the DA’s offic…
Drug Raid At Muhlenberg Home Uncovers LSD, Fentanyl, And Mason Jars Packed With Pot
A Berks County man is facing felony charges after authorities found a lush marijuana grow, LSD, fentanyl, and cocaine — much of it packed into mason jars — during a drug raid, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office announced on Friday, July 18.
Sandrew Gonzalez, 29, was arrested after detectives with the Berks County DA’s Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at his home on the 2600 block of Kutztown Road in Muhlenberg Township, according to the release.
Investigators began tracking Gonzalez in May for suspected drug sales in the area. The Friday morning search of both his home and…
Cocaine, Meth, Fentanyl, Firearms: 14 People Charged In South Jersey Trafficking Ring
Fourteen people have been charged with weapons offenses for their roles in a South Jersey drug trafficking organization, authorities announced Thursday, July 17.
Ryan Collins, the leader of the group and a Crips gang member, is charged with being the leader of a narcotics trafficking network, distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine, and promoting organized street crime, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. The 33-year-old Vineland resident also faces weapons offenses involving two assault firearms, a handgun, and large-capacity magazines, as well as charges stemming from the sale of fe…
Wiretaps Reveal Westminster Man Ran Crack Ring, Sold Cocaine, Plotted Murder: Feds
A Westminster drug dealer who cooked crack, buried drugs in the woods, and ordered a man’s murder is heading to federal prison for more than two decades, authorities announced.
Rodney Gaines, 35, was sentenced to 23 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release on Thursday, July 10, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland said.
Back on April 4, a federal jury convicted Gaines of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and two counts of cocaine distribution.
US District Judge A…
