Alleged drug trafficking ring busted in eastern Schuylkill, Carbon counties
PHOTO COURTESY / COMMONWEALTH MEDIA SERVICES - Attorney General Dave Sunday announces charges against an alleged drug trafficking ring in Schuylkill and Carbon counties.
JIM THORPE – Seven members of an alleged drug trafficking ring in the Panther Valley and eastern Schuylkill County were arrested Thursday, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced Tuesday.
Sunday made the announcement alongside Carbon County District Attorney Michael Greek and members of the Carbon County Drug Task Force.
Cruz ‘June’ Rodriguez, 31, of New Philadelphia, is accused of leading the organization which trafficked methamphetamine, fentanyl, ecstasy, and cocaine across Carbon and Schuylkill County, Sunday announced.
“We were able to identify Rodriguez as the main supplier to several dealers in the area, including Christopher Hazlett, Justin Heacock, Jose Nieves-Feliciano, and Kayla Evert,” Sunday said. “Elijah Marie Camacho was identified as Rodriguez’s girlfriend who would drive Rodriguez around to make deliveries and pick up proceeds from their dealings.”
Sunday said “those in [Rodriguez’s] network feared failing him or going against him.”
Rodriguez is facing two counts of Corrupt Organizations, three counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, seven counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, six counts of Conspiracy Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, one count of Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds, one count of Persons not to Possess Firearms, one count of Receiving Stolen Property, and one count of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.
“Taking drug dealers off the streets continues to be a top priority of my office. Firearms and drug trafficking is a deadly mix that we have seen manifest across the Commonwealth in acts of violence,” Attorney General Sunday said. “I am grateful to our law enforcement partners who teamed with our office to make arrests and seizures which will have lasting impact in these communities.”
“I’m grateful for the continued cooperation and support from state narcotics agents and from our Attorney General Dave Sunday in our efforts to stop drug trafficking in Carbon County,” Carbon County District Attorney Michael Greek said. “These drug arrests highlight the successful collaboration between the local police of Carbon and Schuylkill counties and the Attorney General’s Drug Task Force. I can not be more proud of their teamwork, dedication and commitment to keep Carbon County safe.”
Charges were also filed against numerous members of the network, including:
- Elijah Marie Camacho, of Tamaqua: two counts of Corrupt Organizations, one count of Possession with Intent to Deliver, one count of Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds, and one count of Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance.
- Jose Alfredo Nieves-Feliciano, of Coaldale: two counts of Corrupt Organizations, one count of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, one count of Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds, one count of Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance, and one count of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.
- Kayla Evert, of Lansford: one count of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, one count of Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance, one count of Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds, and one count of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.
- Christopher Hazlett, of Lansford: two counts of Corrupt Organizations, one count of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, one count of Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds, one count of Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance, and one count of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.
- Justin Heacock, of Coaldale: one count of Corrupt Organizations, one count of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, one count of Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds, one count of Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance, and one count of of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.
- William Carter, of Lansford: three counts of Delivery of a Controlled
- Substance and three counts of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.
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Lansford, Coaldale and Tamaqua to a lesser extent have all turned into Run down dilapidated towns that are only attracting crime. If you want to live a decent life you do not live in the towns- you live outside the towns. If you want a decent job you travel and hour out of the are or County.
My parents moved us from Ringtown in 1973 to Lansford when I was 13 and it was a great Vibrant town with Middle class that went to work everyday. How it has changed and declined like many coal towns. Now is it sprawling with welfare. Too read one drug raid was a block away form my parent’s old home in Lansford is disturbing.
This is where I disagree with Governor Shapiro pushing to legalize Marijuana. This will only make matters worse for communities. And it it sends a Bad message to our Children. Funny how None of us were given a choice to vote on this matter.
I congratulate the Drug Enforcement officers. Great Work- You have a Hard Job. It is an Endless one.