PENNSYLVANIA — State Attorney General Dave Sunday announced Tuesday the arrest of seven people allegedly involved in a drug trafficking ring operating in Carbon and Schuylkill counties.
Investigators identified Cruz “June” Rodriguez as the main supplier of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy, reportedly acquiring the drugs from Pennsylvania and New York.
Rodriguez is believed to have supplied drugs to local dealers, who were allegedly intimidated with threats and firearms.
Authorities say Rodriguez is connected to the Second Street gang based in Allentown. Those charged alongside him include Christopher Hazlett, Justin Heacock, Jose Nieves-Feliciano, and Kayla Evert. Evert reportedly acted as a runner for some of the larger traffickers.
A search of Rodriguez’s Coaldale home and vehicle led to the seizure of a stolen 9mm handgun, marijuana, cocaine, 281 MDMA pills, 2 pounds of methamphetamine, and 8 ounces of fentanyl.
Attorney General Sunday noted that the amount of fentanyl seized could contain over 112,000 potentially lethal doses.
Authorities emphasized the coordinated effort among multiple agencies to target organized crime. Carbon County District Attorney Michael Greek warned, “This type of arrest from somebody who is not necessarily from this area should be a message to anyone from Allentown to Reading to Philadelphia. Don’t come to Carbon County and deal drugs.”
The investigation is ongoing.
