HARRISBURG– Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the arrests of two upper-level, Allentown-based drug traffickers and the seizure of more than 11 pounds of fentanyl — nearly 165,000 doses of the deadly drug.
The Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigation worked in collaboration with the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office and Allentown police to identify the trafficking operation, and, on August 26th, executed search warrants that uncovered a stash of fentanyl with an estimated street value of more than $1.5 million.
OAG agents charged Wilson Jose Rosario, 33, and Luis Manuel Ventura, 21, with charges of felony possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, conspiracy to deliver fentanyl, and related offenses.
Rosario and Ventura were arraigned and bail was set at $600,000 apiece. Both men are at the Lehigh County Jail.
“Fentanyl is an incredibly dangerous drug that plagues nearly every community, and presents a clear risk to families and individuals across the Commonwealth,” Attorney General Henry said. “A strong collaboration between my office, Lehigh County law enforcement, and the Allentown police department, netted two high-level traffickers and thousands of doses of this poison.”
During searches of three Allentown properties, officials also seized packaging materials – including respirators, scales, vacuum sealers- and $3,400 cash.
“I commend Attorney General Michelle Henry on an excellent investigation which culminated in taking about 11 pounds of deadly fentanyl off of our streets,” Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said.
The case will be prosecuted by the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office. All charges are accusations. The defendants are innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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