On April 1, members of the Berks County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania State Police, Reading Police Department and the Sheriff’s Department conducted an early morning drug round-up of twenty-eight (28) suspects from Berks County. The suspects were wanted for various violations of the PA Controlled Substance Act, specifically delivery of controlled substances, which included heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and prescription drugs.
This year-long investigation began with separate complaints from confidential sources and concerned citizens regarding drug activity in their neighborhoods. During the investigation, undercover detectives purchased amounts of controlled substances with street values ranging from $40 to $1500 dollars from the suspects.
Subsequently, detectives obtained arrest warrants for the following suspects. The warrants were issued by Magisterial District Judges throughout Berks County. The following individuals remain at large.
-Robert Santiago-Claudio, 37, of Reading
Possession/PWI/Delivery of Heroin (2 counts each)
-Billy Mercado, 50, of ReadingPossession/PWI/Delivery of Heroin (2counts each)
-Ramon Cruz-Cruz, 27, of Reading
Possession/PWI/Delivery of Heroin (2 counts each)
-Bradley Beltz, 39, of ReadingIllegal Sale of a Smith & Wesson model M&P-15
-Raymond Carrasquillo, 24, of Reading
Possession/PWI/Delivery of Cocaine
-Alysia Ann Raser, 28, of Reading
Possession/PWI/Delivery of Prescription Drugs/Oxycontin (3 counts each)
-Juvenile Female, 16, of Boyertown
Possession/PWI/Delivery of Marijuana
-Edward Lawrence Lucas, 43, of Boyertown
Possession/PWI/Delivery of Methamphetamine
-Jose Ramirez-Torres, 56, of Reading
Possession/PWI/Delivery of Cocaine
-Alex Morales, 22 of ReadingPossession/PWI/Delivery of Cocaine
-Stacey Oswald, 25, of Allentown
Possession/PWI/Delivery of Methamphetamine
-Paul Garcia, 21, of ReadingPossession/PWI/Delivery of Heroin
-Lidia Burgos, 25, of ReadingPossession/PWI/Delivery of Heroin (3 counts each)
-Michael Cartagena, 32, of Reading
Possession/PWI/Delivery of Marijuana (2 counts each)
The following names were arrested and taken into custody. They are currently in Central Processing awaiting video arraignment.
-Emmanuel Negron, 27, of Graterford Prison (unrelated charges)
Possession/PWI/Delivery of Heroin (4 counts each)
-Barry Kantner, 69, of Orwigsburg
Possession/PWI/Delivery of Cocaine (2 counts each)
Location: VFW, 1 South 4th Street, Hamburg
-Jacob Paul Turner Sr., 43, of Hamburg
Possession/PWI/Delivery of Cocaine (2 counts each)
Location: VFW (outside), 1 South 4th Street and 000 block of Centre Ave., Leesport, PA
-Jonel Ortiz, 26, no known address
Possession/PWI/Delivery of Cocaine
Location: 000 block of Church Street, Reading, PA
-Waldemar Martinez, 45, of Reading
Possession/PWI/Delivery of Cocaine (2 counts each)
Location: 200 block of South 12th St. & 900 Lancaster Ave., Reading, PA
-Luis Torres, 39, of ReadingPossession/PWI/Delivery of Heroin (2 counts each)
Locations: 1000 block Buttonwood St. and 1200 block Ave. D, Reading
-Seth Kennedy, 18, of AlburtisPossession/PWI/Delivery of Heroin and Methamphetamine
Location: 1500 block of Kutztown Rd., Kutztown & Lyons Rd., Lyons
-Christopher W. Smith, 44, of Birdsboro
Possession/PWI/Delivery of Methamphetamine
-Jessica Lynn Smith, 32, of Birdsboro
Possession/PWI/Delivery of Methamphetamine
-Joshua Bryan Rivera, 28, of Muhlenberg Township
Possession/PWI/Delivery of Marijuana
Location: 500 block of Muhlenberg Street, Muhlenberg Township, PA
-Daniel Torres-Torres, 39, of Mt. Penn
Possession/PWI/Delivery of Methamphetamine
Location: 221 Laurel Ave., Mt. Penn
-Diana Shook, 41, of KutztownPossession/PWI/Delivery of Methamphetamine
Location: 80 Quarry Road, Kutztown
-Jovanny Ortiz, 26, of ReadingPossession/PWI/Delivery of Cocaine
Location: 1200 block of Spruce Street
-Jose A. Ortiz, 47, of ReadingPossession/PWI/Delivery of Cocaine (2 counts each)
