NORRISTOWN >> The Philadelphia distributor of a multi-million dollar cross country marijuana trafficking ring, linked to California, that targeted southeastern Pennsylvania, primarily Montgomery, Berks and Bucks counties, is behind bars after being convicted by a judge.
Ruben E. Morales, 50, of the 2000 block of North Carlisle Street, Philadelphia, was convicted in Montgomery County Court of charges of corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and conspiracy in connection with incidents that occurred between January 2007 and April 2014.
Judge Gary S. Silow, who convicted Morales of the charges during a non-jury trial, immediately increased Morales’ bail to $300,000 cash, which Morales was unable to post and he was taken to the county jail to await sentencing.
“Ruben Morales was the Philadelphia connection to this drug trafficking organization,” said county Assistant District Attorney Robert Kolansky, describing Morales’ role in the organization. “We believe he was the Philadelphia distributor for this multi-state organization. He played a role in this corrupt organization.”
During the sweeping investigation, searches of properties associated with Morales led to the seizure of about 25 pounds of marijuana, with a street value of between $75,000 and $125,000, according to the arrest affidavit. Kolansky and detectives hauled four green duffel bags filled with heat-sealed packages of marijuana into the courtroom as evidence during the trial.
“This was high-grade marijuana so it does have a higher street value than other types,” said Kolansky, who vowed to seek a state prison sentence against Morales. “We think a lengthy state prison sentence is appropriate given his conduct.”
Morales was the last of the individuals, described as major confederates, to face a trial. Several others involved in the plot previously pleaded guilty.
Jason Lee Marks, 46, of the 2900 block of Kutztown Road, Upper Hanover, previously was sentenced to four to 10 years in prison for his role as an East Coast distributor for the ring. Evidence revealed Marks sold marijuana in a variety of increments to his customers and “he was the point of contact for local high-ranking members of this organization for marijuana,” according to a criminal complaint.
Authorities alleged Marks and Michael Anthony Lynch, of the first block of Hickory Lane, Boyertown, another alleged distributor, obtained marijuana from a California supplier, Larry F. Kline, and then distributed the pot to sub-dealers in the southeastern Pennsylvania region.
Lynch, 49, previously pleaded guilty to various drug- and conspiracy-related charges and remains free on bail while awaiting sentencing. Kline, 46, of McKinleyville, Calif., previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 11 1/2 to 23 months in jail and was permitted to serve the sentence under house arrest in California, according to court records.
Authorities alleged the East Coast distributors made trips to California and obtained high-grade marijuana and transported it across the country.
Detectives alleged marijuana imported to Pennsylvania by Lynch “had a street value of over one million dollars,” according to the criminal complaint.
A total of 22 people, who resided in Montgomery, Berks and Bucks counties, were charged in connection with the pot trafficking ring in June 2014. Authorities seized more than 100 pounds of pot during the investigation, court papers indicate.
Several other Upper Perk residents previously pleaded guilty to drug-related charges in connection with being “sub-dealers” who bought marijuana from Marks and then sold it to others in the region.
“Marijuana was obtained from Humboldt County, California, transported to Pennsylvania in a privately-owned recreational vehicle and distributed to locations in seven Pennsylvania counties,” detectives from Montgomery and Berks alleged in the arrest affidavit.
In addition to Berks and Montgomery, other counties targeted by the pot ring included Lehigh, Bucks, Carbon, Northampton and Philadelphia.
Narcotics enforcement teams from Montgomery and Berks conducted electronic surveillance, wiretaps, on eight telephones used by the principal targets, according to arrest documents. An investigative team, comprising the Upper Perk Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police and the California Mountain and Valley Marijuana Investigation Team provided assistance, including serving search warrants where evidence pertinent to the investigation was seized, court documents indicate.
On March 31, 2014, authorities searched numerous residences in multiple counties.
Lynch, identified in court papers as “a high-ranking member” of the organization, transported bulk quantities of marijuana from California to Pennsylvania and supplied the drug to his customers and met with Kline, Marks, Morales and others, detectives alleged.
Kline originally was from Pennsylvania but relocated to California and was instrumental in overseeing the cultivation or exportation of marijuana, according to detectives.
“The investigation revealed Larry Kline took advantage of the permissive state drug laws of California to cultivate or procure large quantities of high-grade marijuana for sale to customers, including Jason Marks, Michael Lynch and Ruben Morales for financial gain,” detectives alleged.
In addition to wiretaps, investigators utilized visual surveillance, controlled buys of drugs, information from informants and information obtained through an investigative grand jury, according to court papers.
