FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Drug Investigation – Fentanyl – Heroin - Cocaine Trafficking

PERSON(S) INVOLVED (Dealers):
       
       1.    Jonathan Dinnis Fernandez (28 years of age)
              550 Pike Street
              Reading, PA                                     

2. Hector Nieves-Castano (39 years of age)

             Reading, PA                                                                                            

3. Luis Figueroa-Santiago (37 years of age)

            806 Muhlenberg Street
            Reading, PA


                      
                Jonathan Dinnis Fernandez             Hector Nieves-Castano                   Luis Figueroa-Santiago

CHARGES (Fernandez):
Possession With Intent to Deliver, Delivery, Possession, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Conspiracy & Criminal Use of Communication Facility

CHARGES (Castano & Santiago):
Possession With Intent to Deliver, Delivery, Possession, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia & Conspiracy

DETAILS OF INCIDENT:

The Berks County Drug Task Force, Reading Police, and Pennsylvania State Police initiated a drug investigation relative to drug trafficking at 806 Muhlenberg, Street, Reading, Pennsylvania.
As a result of the search, the following items were found and seized:
  

1. Two-hundred-thirty-nine packets of suspected fentanyl/heroin
2. Thirty-one packets of suspected crack cocaine
3. Twenty-one packets of Suboxone
4. Twenty-one Clonazepam 2 mg pills
5. Three amphetamine & dextroamphetamine 10 mg pills
6. Ninety-eight unknown blue pills
7. One packet of methamphetamine
8. Numerous drug paraphernalia items and packaging material  
9. Assorted documents
10. Two cellular telephones
11. Digital gram scale
12. Two handheld radios
13. Surveillance cameras and monitors
14. $973.00 in United States currency believed to be proceeds from drug sales
15. One 9mm handgun with extended magazine
16. 55 rounds of ammunition

Then, undercover detectives conducted a reverse operation, posing as drug dealers and selling purported packets of heroin/fentanyl and cocaine to customers/users. This reverse undercover operation was conducted for approximately four hours.  During that time, undercover detectives arrested 22 individuals.   
 
  The following twenty-two individuals were arrested for Criminal Attempt to Possess a Controlled                Substance(s):
 

1. Robert Budwash, age 48;  39 E. Court Blvd, West Lawn, PA
2. Omar Melendez-Marrero, age 42; 815 Walnut Street, Reading, PA
3. Miguel Diaz, age, 21; 922 Scott Street, Reading, PA
4. Jonathan Colon-Olan, age 29; 230 ½ Cedar Street, Reading, PA
5. Ernesto Mercado, age 64; 629 Clinton Street, Reading, PA
6. Pedro Leon, age 42; 338 W. Greenwich Street, Reading, PA
7. David Polames-Colona, age 39; 619 N. 10^th Street, Reading, PA
8. Uladimit Mercado-Ortiz, age 47; 612 N. 10^th Street, Reading, PA
9. Martin Acevedo, age 51; 128 S. 8^th Street, Reading, PA
10. Laura Hackman, age 38; 106 Rock Road, Ephrata, PA
11. Lisa Vergara, age 48; 1258 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading PA
12. Annmarie Rayel, age 56; 4864 8^th Avenue, Temple, PA
13. Juan Soto-Gutierrez, age 44; 325 N. 9^th Street, Reading, PA
14. Javier Gonzalez-Rivera, age 49; 213 N. 9^th Street, Reading, PA
15. Alexander McGuire, age 34; 76 W. Fairview Street, Mohnton, PA  
16. Hector Ecker, age 38; 403 Rehr Street, Reading, PA
17. Alicia Calhoun, age 34; 309 Summit Avenue, Reading, PA
18. Maricelis Hernandez, age 42; Homeless, Reading, PA
19. Francisco Aponte, age 32; 029 Spring Street, Reading, PA 
20. Luis Ramos, age 41; 1610 Vine Street, Reading, PA
21. Joseph Soto, age 34; 331 Moss Street, Reading, PA
22. Elvin Perez, age 49; 233 Godfrey Street, Rehrsburg, PA

     Robert Budwash                    Omar Melendez-Marrero             Miguel Diaz                     Jonathan Colon-Olan


  
        Ernesto Mercado                          Pedro Leon                     David Polames-Colona        Uladimit Mercado-Ortiz


 
        Martin Acevedo                        Laura Hackman                          Lisa Vergara                       Annmarie Rayel


   
     Juan Soto-Gutierrez            Javier Gonzalez-Rivera             Alexander McGuire                   Hector Ecker


 
        Alicia Calhoun                            Maricelis Hernandez              Francisco Aponte                       Luis Ramos


 
          Joseph Soto                                   Elvin Perez


All suspects were transported to the Berks County Sheriff’s Department Central Processing Center for processing and preliminary arraignment.  Bails for the dealers were as follows:

Jonathan Dinnis Fernandez-$150,000
Hector Nieves-Castano-$125,000
Luis Figueroa-Santiago-$200,000.

The bails for customers ranged from $2,000 to $10,000. 

All defendants were committed to Berks County Jail System.

As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest occurred or a complaint has been filed is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.