PENNSYLVANIA — Ten people are facing charges after Pennsylvania authorities dismantled what investigators described as a Lehigh County-based drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and other narcotics across multiple counties.
According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, 40-year-old Joaquin “Kino” Gonzalez of Emmaus is accused of leading the operation. Investigators said the organization used suppliers in Mexico to transport drugs into Pennsylvania through connections in Southern California.
Authorities said the investigation began in 2024 and involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Allentown Police Department. Arrests were made in recent days, including Gonzalez’s arrest over the weekend.
Each of the 10 defendants has been charged with corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver controlled substances, conspiracy and related offenses.
Those charged include Gonzalez, Danny Cancel, 25, of Bethlehem; Joel Castro, 41, of Orefield; Sally Garcia-Colon, 39, of Emmaus; Jorge Marrero-Rodriguez, 60, of Allentown; Jordan Pagan, 37, of Leola; John Pagan DeJesus, 49, of Whitehall; Israel Perez, 45, of Bethlehem; Anthony Planas, 42, of Bethlehem; and Hanzel Rivera, 37, of Bethlehem.
Authorities said Gonzalez’s bail was set at $1 million, while the remaining defendants are also being held in custody pending court proceedings.
Investigators said surveillance in 2024 documented Gonzalez delivering six pounds of methamphetamine to Jordan Pagan. During a separate traffic stop involving Rivera, authorities allegedly recovered approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, seven pounds of marijuana and $2,500 in cash.
Search warrants executed during the investigation led to the seizure of approximately five pounds of fentanyl, 1.7 pounds of heroin, 3,000 fentanyl pills, 4.48 pounds of methamphetamine, 4.6 pounds of cocaine and more than 11 pounds of marijuana, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Preliminary hearings for the defendants were scheduled for May 12.
