Felix Josue Rodriguez-Pabon, 22, Reading, Nelson Audelin Martinez, 26, Reading, Wilson Michael Herrera, 20, Reading, and Yefries Guillen Herrera, 22, Reading, were charged with possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, possession a controlled substance and criminal conspiracy.
On Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office (CBPO) of Philadelphia contacted the Berks County Drug Task Force regarding kilos of cocaine being smuggled into Berks County from the country of the Dominican Republic.
The shipments were being described as “Video Game Xbox 360 Use” they were being facilitated from the Dominican Republic to various addresses within Berks County, one of them being 533 Spruce Street, Reading, Pa.
Upon investigation and examination of the shipments cocaine was found concealed among the Xbox video game console factory parts of the system. The parcel was clearly marked with the destination of 533 Spruce Street, Reading, Pennsylvania 19602. The interior of the Xbox contained approximately 1100 grams of cocaine with the potential street value in excess of $100,000.00.
On Friday, Oct. 10, 2014 at approx. 2 p.m., drug task force officers and federal agents observed several suspects in the area of 500 block of Spruce Street, believed to be waiting for the arrival of the package. During the course of the investigation, the defendants were identified as Felix Rodriguez-Pabon, Wilson Herrera, Nelson Martinez and Yefries Herrera.
Approx. at 3:30 p.m., the package was delivered by an undercover federal agent to 533 Spruce Street. Yefries Herrera received, accepted and signed for the parcel, indicating he was expecting it. Yefries Herrera then immediately went back inside of 533 Spruce Street with the parcel.
At approximately 3:40 p.m. Yefries Herrera exited 533 Spruce Street carrying a bag which contained the Xbox game console. Yefries Herrera walked over to 525 Spruce Street and meet with defendants, Rodriguez-Pabon, Wilson Herrera and Nelson Martinez. Yefries Herrera then placed the bag into the open trunk of a black Acura vehicle and closed the trunk of the vehicle. The vehicle belonged to defendant, Felix Rodriguez-Pabon. The vehicle then left the area. The investigators tracked the vehicle at 1615 Hancock Boulevard, Cumru Township, Pennsylvania.
At approximately 4:10 p.m., the drug task force officers and federal agents arriving in the area of 1615 Hancock Boulevard. Immediately upon the law-enforcement arrival, three of the defendants, Felix Rodriguez-Pabon, Wilson Herrera and Nelson Martinez fled from the rear of the residence. A foot pursuit ensued and the three defendants were apprehending by law-enforcement within several block of the Hancock Blvd residence.
During the course of this investigation, drug task members obtained search warrants for 533 Spruce Street, Reading and 1615 Hancock Blvd, Cumru Township, Pennsylvania. As a result of this investigation and search warrants the drug task force recovered and seized among other items of evidence:
1. 1100 grams of cocaine with the potential street value in excess of $100,000
2. Representative kilogram substitute containing a testable quantity of cocaine
3. Miscellaneous x-box game console and parts.
4. Miscellaneous documents pertaining to the defendants
5. Miscellaneous packaging material related to cocaine
6. Heat sealer machine7. Additional miscellaneous x-box components and shipping packaging
8. Cutting agent related to cocaine.
9. Five counter-surveillance cameras
10. Over fourteen cellular telephones
11. Box of .40 caliber ammunition and loaded gun magazine
12. Digital scale13. Plastic bag containing “crack” cocaine
14. Approx. $600.00 in U.S. Currency
Upon entering Hancock Blvd, law-enforcement officers observed Xbox gaming consoles on the kitchen table which had been disassembled. And the representative substitute containing a quantity of cocaine was clearly recovered.
Subsequently, all four defendants were transported to the Berks County Sheriff’s Department Central Processing Center where in the early morning hours of Oct. 11, 2014 they were processed and arraigned.
This investigation is on-going.
From Berks County District Attorney’s Office