Pocono News Section

Alleged Drug Dealers Return To Court

Alleged Drug Dealers Return To Court - Friday, September 28, 2007 at 6:09PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Friday, Sep 28, 2007 @06:09pm EST
(HAZLETON/WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY)

Now to the drug raid that nabbed nearly three dozen alleged drug dealers in the Hazleton area. It happened earlier this month. On Friday, many of those facing charges returned to court for preliminary hearings.

Their ages range from minors to some in their 50's, but the Attorney General's office says they all had one thing in common. They were allegedly trafficking cocaine.

Investigators with the Attorney General's Office say Jorge Rivera of Hazleton is the ring leader of a $31,000.00 dollar cocaine ring. Bob O’Hara is with the Attorney General’s Office,"He's a high ranking member of the organization, let's put it that way."

Three weeks ago the A.G.'s office says it shut down the ring as part of Operation Boomerang. The operation allegedly made $200,000.00 a week by distributing two kilos of cocaine over that same time period. Jose Gonzalez is a suspect, "I belong to myself, I don't know what you're talking about."

Police say undercover drug buys were arranged through Jose Gonzalez, a high ranking member of the Latin Kings gang. Bob O’Hara added, "Wire taps utilized in this case that basically linked the defendants together."

Several of those charged (natural sound, "I ve got nothing to say.") went before a Judge Friday to waive continue or forward their alleged drug offenses to county court.

Luzerne County Public Defender Ferris Webby spoke to WBRE News, "These are very serious charges, associated with all these defendants, ranging from felony one to felony three's. There’s serious jail time.

Sam Sanguedolce with the District Attorney’s office tells WBRE news that some of the suspects face charges in Luzerne County as well, not just with the Attorney General in Harrisburg.

Sanguedolce added, "They had almost a year long of surveillance. They're handing the wiretap cases, we're handling individuals with hand to hand buys to undercover police officers."

Police and lawyers say there is a language break down. Ferris Webby said, "There's an extensive language barrier upstairs, three interpreters full time, doing great job, we need them." Prosecutors will also look into whether some of these alleged drug dealers will be deported.

Sam Sanguedolce added, "There are illegal aliens involved, being looked into by the I.N.S. or I.C.E. not affecting prosecution." Officials with the Attorney General's Office say this case is still under investigation.

For now most are locked up at the county jail with some attempts at bail reduction being denied.