TimesLeader.com

Drug sweep in Hazleton expands

Edward Lewis elewis@timesleader.com

PLAINS TWP. - Five of the 17 people charged by state authorities in a $10.4 million cocaine distribution ring in Hazleton remain wanted, including a man who allegedly shot a person eight times.

"In September 2007, we took down one of the largest cocaine trafficking rings in Hazleton as part of Operation Boomerang," Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett said during a news conference Tuesday afternoon. "Less than two years later, we are here again, arresting a new set of drug dealers who thought they could simply step in and continue what the previous group had started."

Undercover narcotic agents and Hazleton police began arresting people on Tuesday. Four people were charged with denying authorities access to a home to arrest one of the suspected cocaine traffickers.

Those not in custody are: Junior Diaz, 22, North Church Street, Hazleton; Victor "Rolando" Peguero, 29, of North Locust Street, Hazleton, Alejando "Manso" Serrano-Hernandez, 41, of South Cedar Street, South Hazle Street and East Chestnut Street, Hazleton, Jose Alex Burgos-Garcia, 30, of Alter Street, Hazleton, and a man known as Juan Doe.

Corbett said several of the 17 people charged are illegal immigrants, but couldn't identify those who are immigrants.

Arrested and charged with various drug offenses are:

Jose Valoy, 33, of East Green Street, Hazleton; Aramis "Flaco" Colon, 22, of West Chapel Street, Hazleton; Ricardo "Noreiga" Callender, 23, of Putnam Street, Hazleton; Michael Diaz, 30, of South Locust Street, Hazleton; Cesar "Cavallo" Vazquez-Guerro, 29, of North Church Street, Hazleton; Osvaldo "P-Teen" Jimenez Aquino, 28, of West Second Street, Hazleton; Yashira Flores-Movet, 27, of East Tamarac Street, Hazleton; Yendaliz Gonzalez-Valle, 26, of North Church Street, Hazleton; Jean C. Nunez, 24, Monroe Avenue, Hazleton; Ramon Nivar, 21, of West Maple Street, Hazleton; Pedro "Petie" Contes, 29, of Washington Avenue, West Hazleton and a man known as John Doe.

Deputy State Attorney General Tim Doherty identified Callender and Colon as the alleged ring leaders of the trafficking ring.

Corbett said Diaz is wanted for shooting a man eight times several weeks ago in Hazleton. Diaz was the "go to" guy between undercover narcotic agents and Callender and Colon, Corbett said.

Corbett said the ring was distributing up to a kilo of cocaine earning approximately $100,000 a week.

For the complete story, read The Times Leader on Thursday.

POSTED 11:58 a.m.

HAZLETON - Four people were charged by police Wednesday morning for their alleged role in denying authorities access to a residence to arrest a man suspected of peddling cocaine.

Dartagnan Jimenez, 28, Darwin Aquino Vargas, 20, Jonathan Vargas, 21, and Yris Pichard Aquino, 44, all from Hazleton, were charged with two counts of hindering apprehension and prosecution.

Jonathan Vargas and Aquino were released on $10,000 unsecured bail. Jimenez and Darwin Vargas were jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $5,000 and $10,000 bail, respectively.

According to the criminal complaints:

Police were assisting authorities with the state Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation in a drug sweep of 10 people suspected of taking part in a $10.4 million cocaine trafficking ring on Tuesday.

When authorities arrived at 342 W. Chapel St., Hazleton, to arrest one of the alleged traffickers, identified as Osvaldo Jimenez-Aquino, they were denied access inside the home by Jimenez, Darwin Vargas, Jonathan Vargas and Aquino, according to the criminal complaint.

During a confrontation at the front door, police said in the criminal complaint Jimenez-Aquino attempted to climb out a second floor window.

Authorities with the state Attorney General's Office said 17 people were charged as a result of a 10 month investigation that focused on the distribution of cocaine in Hazleton.

Check back for details as they become available.