November 2, 2012

Luzerne County man arrested on drug charge

HARRISBURG - A Luzerne County man was arrested this morning by state narcotics agents following a search warrant at his Hazleton home.

Attorney General Linda Kelly identified the defendant as Roberto Casado-Batista, 44, 229 S. Pine St., Hazleton.

Kelly said that the arrest is the result of a four-month investigation into the distribution of cocaine by Casado-Batista in the Hazleton area.

As a result of the investigation, agents and local police executed a search warrant at Casado-Batista?s residence this morning and seized approximately 50 grams of cocaine, two vehicles, a loaded Glock 9 mm handgun and approximately $1,700 cash.

Kelly said that Casado-Batista?s arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into the distribution of cocaine throughout Luzerne County.

Kelly thanked the Hazleton Police for their assistance with the investigation.

Casado-Batista is charged with one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine. He was preliminarily arraigned before Hazleton Magisterial District Judge Joseph Zola and $35,000 and he is being held in the Luzerne County Prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov.12, 2012 before District Justice Zola in Hazleton.

(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.)

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