Five suspected drug dealers have been arrested in Hazleton, Luzerne County, following a months-long narcotics investigation. The Hazleton City Police Department used confidential informants to purchase crack/cocaine from the suspects. The investigation resulted in the seizure of drugs, cash, and cellphones. Three of the suspects were denied bail, while the other two were given $100,000 bail. An active arrest warrant has also been issued for another individual involved in the drug trafficking operation. Vivian Muniz reported
Five Alleged Drug Dealers Arrested Following Months-Long Narcotics Investigation in Hazleton, Luzerne County
The Hazleton City Police Department has successfully apprehended five individuals believed to be involved in drug trafficking activities after conducting an extensive investigation that spanned over five months.
According to the police department, their detectives worked diligently to gather evidence and secure six arrest warrants for multiple drug dealers. Throughout the course of the investigation, undercover officers utilized confidential informants to make controlled purchases of crack/cocaine from five out of the six identified suspects. The alleged drug dealers have been identified as Miguel Sanchez, James Oliver, Elizabeth Gonzales, Colleen Kinney, and Joel Valentin-Gonzalez.
On a Friday, the detectives executed a search warrant at an apartment located behind the Capri Bar in Hazleton. This operation resulted in the seizure of various items, including 20 grams of crack/cocaine, multiple cellphones, and a sum of $1,522 in cash.
Sanchez, Oliver, and Gonzales were denied bail, while Kinney and Valentin-Gonzalez were granted bail of $100,000. The police have also announced that an active arrest warrant has been issued for the sixth individual involved in the drug trafficking investigation.
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