Hazleton man facing several drug charges

BUTLER TWP. – Law enforcement officials on Saturday arrested a 56-year-old Hazleton man on drug charges after a months-long investigation.

Police arrested Radhames Rojas, of 937 E. Diamond Ave., during a traffic stop at about 1 p.m. on East Diamond Avenue in Hazleton.

As Rojas was stopped, police simultaneously executed a search warrant at his residence and seized cocaine that was being stored in a concealed area inside the residence, police said.

Butler Township police and the Luzerne County Drug Task Force began an investigation into Rojas in April after receiving information that he allegedly was trafficking cocaine. Police said they conducted surveillance on Rojas and subsequently purchased cocaine from him.

Recently, enough information developed to have a search warrant issued for Rojas’ residence and to have an arrest warrant issued, police said.

Police said Rojas had been using the name Wilfredo Rivera and the street name “Pappy.” He was identified after being fingerprinted through the Live Scan fingerprinting system at Butler Township police headquarters. Officers suspected Rojas was using a false name when he signed his “real name” on a fingerprinting card, police said.

Rojas was charged with four counts each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and possession of a controlled substance. Police also seized the Ford Explorer they say Rojas was using for trafficking cocaine.

Rojas was arraigned before District Judge Daniel O’Donnell and incarcerated at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $125,000 bail. A hearing was scheduled for later this month in Central Court.

Rojas faces additional charges for providing false identification and for drugs police say were found in his residence when the search warrant was executed. Police are continuing the investigation into Rojas’ associates who police say were identified during the investigation.