Police Charge Man Shot By Wilkes-Barre Officer

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

HANOVER TOWNSHIP, PA — The man shot and wounded by police in a Hanover Township parking lot was hit Thursday with felony assault and drug trafficking charges alleging he tried to run down two officers while speeding away from a crack deal he made with a police informant, according to court documents.

Bong Bob Kim, 30, of 9 Harkins Lane, Wilkes-Barre, remained hospitalized at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township on Thursday night as state police filed charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, criminal use of a communication facility, drug trafficking, fleeing police and reckless endangerment.

Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis on Thursday night identified Wilkes-Barre police Officer Joseph Sinavage as the officer who shot Kim.

According to a police affidavit filed in court, a state police vice unit and Wilkes-Barre police were conducting a joint drug operation at about 2 p.m. Wednesday in the area of the Family Dollar on Carey Avenue when things went awry.

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/police-charge-man-shot-by-w-b-officer-1.1791355

Authorities: Heroin Problem In Region Will Only Get Worse

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE, PA — Heroin is affecting the region at epidemic levels and the problem is only expected to get worse, law enforcement officials told the Pennsylvania Economy League at a meeting Friday afternoon.

The drug is selling on the cheap, and addicts — many of whom got started by legitimately using prescription painkillers — are bringing a plague of crime to the area, West Hazleton Police Chief Brian Buglio said. Almost all robberies, thefts and assaults in the Hazleton area have a drug or gang nexus, he said.

“Heroin is terrifying, and it’s only going to get worse, unfortunately,” Buglio said during the meeting at Best Western Genetti Hotel and Conference Center.

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/authorities-heroin-problem-in-region-will-only-get-worse-1.1784687

Community Tips, Cooperation Behind Drug Crackdown In Phillipsburg

Map of New Jersey (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It started with concerned residents reaching out to police.

It ended with nearly two dozen arrests.

A recent drug crackdown in Phillipsburg and 10-day roundup of alleged dealers and users was a team effort, police Chief James Faulborn said last week. Community members relayed tips and information, authorities followed up with “basic police work” and nearby police departments offered a helping hand.

“It was a collaborative effort with us reaching out to the community and the community responding with information,” he said. “Working together with the community and other law enforcement agencies, we were able to execute search warrants and arrest warrants and take the necessary action.”

Read more: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/phillipsburg/index.ssf/2014/09/community_cooperation_behind_d.html

Two Charged After Police Raid Wilkes-Barre Home

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Wilkes-Barre police say they seized major amounts of heroin, cocaine and marijuana when they raided a Sullivan Street home that was protected by a pistol loaded with “cop killer bullets.”

Larry “TAZ” Hayes, 26, and Disean Kendricks, 24, both of 70 Sullivan St., are charged with drug trafficking and weapons possession offenses, police said.

The Wilkes-Barre Police Anti Crime Unit and Wilkes-Barre Drug Task Force raided their home at about 6 a.m. Saturday after an investigation revealed they had been dealing heroin and cocaine out of the house, police said.

Though both men were armed, they were arrested without incident, police said.

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/two-charged-after-police-raid-w-b-home-1.1741657

Wilkes-Barre Pair Wanted On Drug Trafficking Charges

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Two Wilkes-Barre residents free on bail on charges that they attacked police officers are now wanted on felony drug trafficking charges after police found nearly 1,800 packets of heroin at their Scott Street home, according to court documents.

The arrest warrants stem from a pair of raids conducted earlier this month on homes on Scott Street in which city and state police seized 1,779 packets of heroin worth $35,580, a .45-caliber Gock pistol and $9,000 in cash.

Police say three people were involved in the drug ring: Christian Caraballo, 29, of 1164 Scott St., and two of his girlfriends: Benita Placencio, 39, of the same address; and Juleisy Bienida Abreu-Peralta, 20, of 960 Scott St.

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/w-b-pair-wanted-on-drug-trafficking-charges-1.1721399

20 Face Charges In Drug Sweep In Tamaqua

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Schuylkill County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

TAMAQUA, PA – Arrest papers and pictures of suspects in hand, officers knocked on doors in the Tamaqua area Monday morning, taking more than a dozen people into custody on drug charges.

At least one defendant was arrested for drug possession, while most of the defendants are accused of actually selling drugs, according to Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine Holman, who along with Tamaqua police Chief Rick Weaver and members of the county drug task force orchestrated the effort.

In total, 17 warrants were served, though 20 are facing charges. The arrests came after months of police investigations involving undercover and controlled drug purchases of narcotics, some of which involved video-recorded purchases for the sale of methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana.

Holman, who sat through all of Monday’s arraignments, personally asked that each person be held on high bail, stating over and over again that her office and law enforcement are taking a tough stance on drugs in the county and considers those dealing to be a danger to the community.

Read more: http://republicanherald.com/news/20-face-charges-in-drug-sweep-in-tamaqua-1.1704236

Resident Tells Wilkes-Barre City Council Of Heroin Sales In Park, Campsite Protected By Pit Bulls

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE, PA — Before he addressed City Council on Thursday night, Donald Hosey warned that his comments would be unpleasant.

He’d gone to Mayor Tom Leighton and the police and was unsatisfied with the response to his reports that there is drug dealing in the city’s Riverfront Parks, Hosey explained on why he was speaking publicly to council.

“Right now in that river front park are two campsites of heroin dealers,” said Hosey of the Susquehanna River Watch.

He told council he’d been investigating the activity in the area of the Kirby Park Natural Area for the past seven weeks, taking down information, including names and phone numbers.

Read more:  http://timesleader.com/news/local-news-news/1431688/Resident-tells-W-B-City-Council-of-drug-sales-in-park

Drug Ring Out Of Pottstown’s Bright Hope Knocked Out

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NORRISTOWN — Juvenile burglars who tipped off police on the alleged drug runners they robbed led to the complete shutdown of a drug ring which once operated out of Bright Hope Village in Pottstown and had been investigated for more than a year.

Five people were arrested for allegedly trafficking heroin, cocaine and crystal methamphetamine in both Montgomery and Philadelphia counties since at least 2013, according to a release from Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steele.

Edward Tillman was arrested and accused of being the ring-leader. Anisha Harris, 31, Johnathan Jackson, 24, Melvin Hampton, 44, and Teresa Hiller, age not given, were all arrested and accused of being his associates in the organization.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20140521/drug-ring-out-of-pottstowns-bright-hope-knocked-out

Investigation Shows Heroin-Related Deaths Are Not Accurately Counted

English: Modified IM/IV syringe used for “plugging” heroin. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Elected officials, law enforcement officers and others proclaim there’s a heroin “epidemic” sweeping the country, and it’s taking hold in rural and suburban communities once considered unlikely places to find illicit drugs.

But nobody knows how many people have died.

Nobody knows how many have overdosed and survived.

Nobody even knows for certain where the problem is most severe.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20140511/investigation-shows-heroin-related-deaths-are-not-accurately-counted/1

Heroin, Gun Seized By Police In Wilkes-Barre

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE, PA — City police Anti-Crime Unit and state police Vice and Narcotics seized about 200 heroin packets, a loaded handgun with an altered serial number and a loaded rifle when they arrested three people from Philadelphia on drug trafficking offenses on Thursday.

Authorities said Marissa A. Ramos, 23, Jorge Esay Mojica, 23, and Bryan Mojica, 19, in a buy-bust operation on Scott Street.

A 9mm handgun and a semi-automatic rifle were found during the arrest. The rifle was reported stolen to the state police at Shickshinny.

Read more: http://timesleader.com/news/local-news/1336598/Heroin-gun-seized-by-police

DRUGS: The Epidemic Some Choose To Ignore

For some inexplicable reason, the “powers that be” in Pottstown seem to think that ignoring rampant drug use in the borough will make it go away.  As a blogger who posts news from around the state on a regular basis, I see how this problem has invaded the Commonwealth.  Drugs have crept into our smallest and remotest towns.

Drug use and drug dependence seem bring with them crime and violence.  Shootings, stabbings, burglaries etc…  I have made a point of posting articles along these lines so that anyone who reads this blog will see the alarming rise of drug use and drug related violence in our state.   Our Attorney General, Kathleen Kane has been particularly supportive in trying to ferret out drug dealers through various “sting operations” which have taken down a large numbers of dealers around the state.

One drug in particular is making an alarming comeback.  Heroin.  Pottstown is not immune to this trend.

Our story for today comes from a friend of mine who lives in Pottstown.  This person has “walked the talk” by being a public servant for a several years and is also a Mom.

Walking to school this morning, my son tells me he has seen two “thermometers” outside.  I stop, dead in my tracks, red flag warning.   I turn and retrace my steps.  Sure enough, two hypodermic needles are there on the sidewalk adjacent to the cemetery between 6th & 7th streets!  I picked them up and turned them in to the school office.  I did not want a young child walking to school to pick them up thinking they were “thermometers” also and possibly stick themselves.

So our lesson for today is that no matter how hard we wish something wasn’t a problem, it will not make it go away.

Thank goodness this Mom had the sense to retrace her steps and remove the threat, thereby protecting many other children.  Because of the neighborhood our courageous Mom lives in she unfortunately knows about such things.  Honestly, I would not have put two and two together and thought syringe.

So to the “powers that be” I say, “WAKE UP!”

To our courageous Mom I say, “Thank you!”

16 Arrested On Drug Charges After Raid On Reading House, Undercover Operation

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sixteen people were arrested on drug-related charges Wednesday after a search warrant was executed and, in another operation, undercover officers posed as drug dealers.

According to authorities:

City officers obtained the warrant for a house in the 800 block of Muhlenberg Street after receiving complaints about drug sales.

Officers searched the house about 1 p.m. and recovered drug paraphernalia, an electronic surveillance system, money, a personnel schedule and a drug ledger.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article/20140117/NEWS/301179933#.UtlvdfQo6c8

Exeter Shop Owners Face Charges Again

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

State prosecutors have re-filed charges against an Exeter head shop and its owners two months after a judge threw out a case alleging they were illegally selling synthetic marijuana.

Alfonse Richard Palaima, 65, and his wife, Sharleen Palaima, 62, both of 197 Division St., Hughestown, are charged with running a corrupt organization, conspiring to distribute a controlled substance, dealing with the proceeds of illegal activities and drug distribution.

Their business, Magikal Gardens at 1174 Wyoming Ave., Exeter, is also charged criminally with drug distribution and dealing in the proceeds of illegal activities.

All three were previously charged with similar offenses, but Magisterial District Judge Joseph J. Carmody dismissed all counts following a preliminary hearing Oct. 2.

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/exeter-shop-owners-face-charges-again-1.1598022

Six People Arrested On Drug Trafficking Charges

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

HANOVER TWP. — Two people were arrested after authorities allege they sold crack cocaine near a school and four others were picked up on heroin trafficking charges.

Egerton “Repo” Wood, 37, of Boland Avenue, Hanover Township, and Geovanni Henry Johnson, 32, of Horton Street, Wilkes-Barre, were arrested earlier this week on charges they sold crack cocaine within 1000 feet of the Hanover Area Memorial School on West Saint Marys Road.

Authorities allege they seized crack cocaine, marijuana, a scale and cash during the arrest and execution of a search warrant.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/1032802/Six-people-arrested-on-drug-trafficking-charges

18 From Berks Arrested, 8 More Sought On Drug Trafficking Charges

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Berks County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Eighteen mid- to low-level drug dealers were arrested Wednesday during a roundup by detectives from the district attorney’s drug task force, Reading police and the sheriff’s department.  In addition to those arrested, detectives have arrest warrants for eight others.

The arrests culminated a nearly yearlong investigation that began with complaints from residents and tips from informants, authorities said.

The suspects sold small amounts of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana to undercover detectives, authorities said.

Undercover detectives arranged transactions with the dealers for amounts ranging from $50 to $2,870 between January and this week, County Chief Detective Michael J. Gombar said.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article/20131205/NEWS/312059917#.UqCzmLB3uM8

Judge: Pottstown Merchant Peddled ‘Death’ When He Sold K2

NORRISTOWN — Saying a Pottstown merchant peddled death when he sold synthetic marijuana from his downtown convenience store, a judge sent the man to state prison.

Rafie L. Ali, 35, who previously lived in an apartment above the Achi Store he operated at 315 E. High Street between February and May 2012, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court on Tuesday to seven to 14 years in a state correctional facility.

“He’s no different than a drug dealer, pure and simple,” said Judge Steven T. O’Neill, referring to Ali’s decision to sell the dangerous substance in a community that has waged a battle against drug dealers and addiction. “The nature of what was sold in that store destroys the fabric of a community. You engaged in danger in a community that doesn’t need it, doesn’t need any more drug dealers.”

Ali, who apologized for his conduct before learning his fate, remained solemn as the punishment was imposed.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20131126/judge-pottstown-merchant-peddled-death-when-he-sold-k2

York Police Arrest One In Drug Bust, Say Investigation Ongoing

Map of York County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The York City Police Narcotics Unit arrested Nneka Banks, 30, on Tuesday and seized more than $50,000 in heroin from her home in the 100 block of Parkway Boulevard, according to a news release.
Police executed a warrant and seized 2,521 bags of heroin, police said. Officers also took 82 grams of cocaine, valued at $8,200, and 25 grams of marijuana, valued at $250.

“We believe this was what we call a stash house,” which is a place where drugs are stored but not sold, York City Police Detective First Class Andrew Shaffer said.

Read more: http://www.ydr.com/local/ci_24601946/york-police-arrest-one-drug-bust-say-investigation

The City of York is having a record-breaking year for large drug busts: http://www.ydr.com/ci_23841297/york-city-police-nab-record-amount-heroin

Authorities Seize 2,000 Bags Of Heroin In Wilkes-Barre

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A staggering amount of drugs, including 2,000 bags of heroin, were recovered Friday night in Wilkes-Barre.

Police said a large amount of crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia, “proceeds from drug trafficking” and in total, more than $45,000 worth of heroin were seized at about 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Kenneth Evans, 21, of 19 S. Empire St., was arrested at his home after a search of his residence recovered the illegal substances. Police said Evans had been targeted for dealing drugs in the Sherman Hills area and from his home.

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/authorities-seize-2-000-bags-of-heroin-in-w-b-1.1571823

Easton Police Arrest Three In Heroin Bust

English: Skyline of Easton, PA from Lafayette College (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Easton police charged three men Sunday with possession of heroin and other drug paraphernalia at Arreola’s Market on Northampton Street.

Police responded to the store after receiving a call about people falling down and acting strangely there. When officers arrived, they observed Brandon Cuvo-Parr and Peter Haddad injecting heroin an open back room.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-n-easton-heroin-bust-20131013,0,1580977.story#ixzz2hi97qrvP 
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3 Reading Residents Sold Heroin On Orange Street, Police Say

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Berks County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Three Reading residents were arrested Friday after an undercover investigation revealed they sold heroin in the 400 block of Orange Street, according to Berks County detectives.

Detectives with the district attorney’s drug task force arrested Jose Antonio Perez-Guevarez, 32; Pablo Santiago-Santiago, 54; and Melinda Marrero, 39, all of the 400 block of Orange Street.

They were charged with possession of heroin with the intent to deliver and other related charges. If convicted, the three suspects face at least two years for dealing illegal drugs in a school zone.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=516231