Seven people were arrested recently for their alleged involvement in a Carbon County drug trafficking ring, according to authorities.
Several pounds of methamphetamine, fentanyl and marijuana were seized when they were arrested, state Attorney General Dave Sunday said Tuesday in a news release.
Cruz Rodriguez, 31, of New Philadelphia, Schuylkill County, whom police described as the leader of the organization, was arrested Thursday, according to court records. Jose Alfredo Nieves-Feliciano, 44, and Justin Heacock, 39, both of Coaldale; Elijah Marie Camacho, 28, of Tamaqua; and Christopher Hazlett, 58 and Kayla Evert, 31, both of Lansford, also were charged, the AG’s office said.
Rodriguez was a “ruthless leader” who kept his co-conspirators under his rule by threatening them, authorities said.
He is charged with corrupt organizations, delivery of a controlled substance, dealing in unlawful proceeds, prohibited possession of a firearm, receiving stolen property and criminal use of a communications facility, among other offenses. He was sent to Carbon County jail under $500,000 bail.
The others are charged with similar offenses.
“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,” Sunday said in the release. “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.”
The AG’s office worked with the Carbon County Drug Task Force and other members of local law enforcement in the investigation.