The charges were the result of a joint investigation by the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and investigators with the office of Carbon County District Attorney Jean A. Engler. Both agencies are part of the Carbon County Drug Task Force.
The investigation was coined "Operation 93 Pipeline" because state Route 93 served as the main road used by the alleged heroin distributors. The road has direct access to Interstate 81.
Agents believe the traffickers distributed approximately 150,000 bags of heroin in Carbon County between December and March. All told, 860 bags of heroin valued at $8,600 were seized during the course of the investigation.
The defendants are listed below along with the charges filed against them:
- Joshua Y. Mejia, 23, 525 W. First St., Hazleton, Luzerne County, is charged with two counts of corrupt organizations and one count each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, criminal solicitation, criminal conspiracy, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
- Bradesky J. Santos Jr., 21, 3 E. Market St., Treskow, Carbon County, is charged with two counts each of corrupt organizations and driving under the influence of a controlled substance. Other charges are one count each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, criminal solicitation, criminal conspiracy, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and failure to obey a stop sign.
- Anthony J. Vega, 19, 400 E. Mine St., Hazleton, Luzerne County, is charged with two counts of corrupt organizations and one count each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, criminal solicitation, criminal conspiracy, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
- Erik Feliz, 22, 591 Alter St., Hazleton, Luzerne County, is charged with two counts of corrupt organizations and one count each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, criminal solicitation, criminal conspiracy, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
- Curtis L. Margle, 24, 335 Saw Mill Road, Lehighton, Carbon County, is charged with two counts of corrupt organizations and one count each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, criminal conspiracy, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
- Jason R. Wilk, 30, 567 Pinewood Road, Lehighton, Carbon County, is charged with two counts of corrupt organizations and one count each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, criminal conspiracy, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
- Matteo Puddu, 26, 169 Yellow Run Road, Jim Thorpe, Carbon County, is charged with two counts of corrupt organizations and one count each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.
- Cynthia Hippenstiel, 24, 217 3rd St., Ramshaw, Northumberland County, is charged with two counts of corrupt organizations and one count each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, criminal conspiracy, possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, criminal use of a communication facility and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
- Robert A. Fox, 58, 1711 Allentown Road, Quakertown, Bucks County, is charged with two counts of corrupt organizations and one count each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, criminal conspiracy, possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, criminal use of a communication facility and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
- David Anthony Jr., 26, 310 Gypsy Hill Gardens, Lehighton, Carbon County, is charged with two counts each of corrupt organizations and one count each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, criminal conspiracy, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
- Brittaney M. Vincent, 20, 310 Gypsy Hill Gardens, Lehighton, Carbon County, is charged with two counts of corrupt organizations and one count each of criminal conspiracy, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
Seven of the defendants are being held in the Carbon County Prison on local drug charges. The other four defendants are expected to turn themselves in today. All the defendants are scheduled to be arraigned today.
Attorney General Kane thanked the following law enforcement agencies for their assistance with the investigation:
Carbon County Drug Task Force
Carbon County Detectives
Pennsylvania State Police, Lehighton barracks
Pennsylvania State Police K-9 unit
Pennsylvania State Police vice unit
Nesquehoning Borough Police Department
Jim Thorpe Police Department
Lehighton Borough Police Department
East Penn Township Police Department
Lansford Police Department
Mahoning Township Police Department
Carbon County Adult Probation Office
Individuals who have witnessed a drug deal in their neighborhood or suspect illegal drug activity where they live or work can send an anonymous tip to the Office of Attorney General by texting PADRUGS + YOUR TIP to 847411.
(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.)