NEWS INFORMATION FROM |
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THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED |
FOR IMMEDIATE USE |
40 ARRESTED IN CITY UNDERCOVER DRUG SALES ENFORCEMENT EFFORT; 112 COUNTS LODGED SO FAR IN ONGOING INVESTIGATION
Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced that Harrisburg Police have arrested 40 drug sales suspects on more than 112 counts as a result of an intensive undercover drug sales enforcement operation that has been underway since March of this year. The operation was highlighted by the arrests of several New York and Philadelphia dealers who controlled the flow of heroin into South Harrisburg. Reed said the extensive drug law enforcement operation involved the use of an undercover Lancaster city police officer to make the buys. The officer made more than $20,000 in 88 separate drug buys during the operation, a large portion of which was for heroin. More than $6,000 worth of drugs were seized, as were $1,600 in cash and two guns. The Mayor said the arrests targeted primarily mid-level street drug dealers, and included five juveniles. Several additional arrests are still pending. “This was a major drug law enforcement effort that primarily targeted the South Harrisburg and Hall Manor areas, though sales and subsequent arrests occurred citywide,” said Reed. “Our appreciation is extended to the Lancaster City Police Department for their assistance, as well as to the Dauphin County District Attorney and other agencies for their support and assistance. Approximately ten city police officers participated in the undercover operation.” “These were mostly street-level dealers, though several of the suspects can certainly be described as major heroin importers into the midstate,” said the Mayor. Now charged with multiple counts of drug sales and other charges are city residents Eric Galarza-age 24, Gasper Rodriguez-age 49, Monique Brooks-21, Aundre Pharris-age 21, David Gladden-age 25, Carlos Lopez-age 21, Herberto Rivera-age 34, James Lewis-age 40, James Hill-age 22, Antoine Washington-age 20, Joseph Rowland-age28, Jarrell Gordon-age 18, Adrian Brown-age 36, Anthony Johnson-age 23, William Richey-age 18, Carlos Abreu-age 50, Anthony Gonzalez-age 18, Jesus Morales-age 23, Warren Wilkens-age 37, Maurice Horton-age 19, Quinntal Smith-age 18, Melvin Soto-age 22, Henry Colon-age 19, Matthew Crummel-age 18, Frederick Porter-age 44, Brandon Flood-age 22, Cory Jackson-age 20, Don Carlos Urrutia-age 19, Wilfredo Esmurria-age 52, Eric Kinnard-age 32, and James Dantzler-age 30. Also charged was Jesus Adorno-Burgos-age 27 of Lancaster. Five city juveniles aged 17, 16, 15, 14 and 13 years of age were also arrested. The Mayor said nine of the suspects had outstanding warrants for their arrests on previous charges, and many were also wanted for violation of parole, meaning they are repeat offenders who are back on the streets. “Time after time we are arresting and re-arresting the same persons, only to see them released back onto our streets. This is enormously frustrating for citizens and police. It sets back the goal of making permanent the elimination of the criminal behavior of repeat offenders.” |
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