(File Photo of Handcuffs)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Lehigh County, PA) Ten people are facing charges following the takedown of what authorities described as a major Pennsylvania-based drug trafficking organization.
According to a news release from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the group operated out of Lehigh County and used suppliers in Mexico to distribute fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine across multiple Pennsylvania counties.
Investigators identified Joaquin Gonzalez, 40, of Emmaus — also known as “Kino” — as the organization’s leader. Authorities said Gonzalez was arrested over the weekend and is accused of transporting drugs into Pennsylvania through a connection in Southern California.
The Attorney General’s Office said the investigation began in 2024 and involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with local police departments.
Officials said searches conducted during the investigation led to the seizure of:
- 5 pounds of fentanyl,
- 7 pounds of heroin,
- 3,000 fentanyl pills,
- 48 pounds of methamphetamine,
- 6 pounds of cocaine,
- and 2 pounds of marijuana.
“This was a high-level, cross-country operation that polluted neighborhoods across the eastern part of the Commonwealth with deadly poisons,” Dave Sunday said in the release.
Authorities said the defendants face charges including corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy and related offenses.
The 10 people charged are as follows:
Danny Cancel, 25, of Bethlehem; Joel Castro, 41, of Orefield; Sally Garcia-Colon, 39, of Emmaus; Jorge Marrero-Rodriguez, 60, of Allentown; Jordan Pagan, 37, of Leola; John Pagan DeJesus, 49, of Whitehall; Israel Perez, 45, of Bethlehem; Anthony Planas, 42, of Bethlehem; Hanzel Rivera, 37, of Bethlehem; and Gonzalez.