FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BUTLER TOWNSHIP POLICE AND LUZERNE COUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE SEIZE CASH, HEROIN AND HANDGUN DURING UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION
Butler Township Police and the Hazleton City Police Narcotics Unit, in conjunction with the Attorney General’s Luzerne County Drug Task Force, seized more than 500 packets of heroin during an undercover operation in Hazleton on October 2, 2014.
Butler Township Police initiated an investigation in which officers negotiated for the delivery of 500 packets or 10 “bricks” of heroin from Jonathan Gregory Vega, aka “J”, age 23 of S. Laurel Street in Hazleton in exchange for $1300. A meeting place was set up near the intersection of E. Chestnut Street and S. Bennett Court. Around 1:45 pm, officers observed Vega walking to the meeting point. Vega saw undercover officers approaching and fled into a nearby store.
Vega pulled a stolen Beretta handgun from his waistband, as well as the 10 bricks of heroin and attempted to hide it inside a drink cooler. Vega was immediately taken into custody inside the store. The event was captured on the store video surveillance system.
In addition to seizing the stolen handgun and 500 packets of heroin, officers also seized 10 additional packets of heroin, cocaine, synthetic marijuana and more than $1200 dollars after searching Vega.
Vega was charged with delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver, firearms not to be carried without a license and receiving stolen property – all of which are felony counts. He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of possessing a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.
Vega was arraigned before District Judge Martin Kane who set his bail at $50,000. Vega is currently incarcerated at the Luzerne County Prison in lieu of bail.
The investigation is continuing and additional arrests are expected. The street value of the heroin seized was $5,000.
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(MEDIA: Photo electronically attached of seizure)
Released- 10/09/2014 5:10 am
Released by: Cpl. William J. Feissner