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HAZLETON — Federal, state and local authorities made 16 arrests and seized a large quantity of drugs during a daylong enforcement blitz in Hazleton that involved helicopters and more than 50 officers.
Operation Alliance, which included the FBI, DEA, state troopers and agents from the Attorney General’s office, came on the heels of extensive Times Leader reporting on the city’s crime issues, specifically on Alter Street, where the police chief and mayor had to fight off an angry mob July 5.
Hazleton Police Chief Jerry Speziale and Mayor Jeff Cusat both said previously the news reports helped lead to Friday’s large-scale crackdown.
“I saw some of the headlines in the newspapers …, ” said Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis when asked what prompted the police action. “There were some issues taking place in Hazleton. I sat down with my drug task force and we decided to call the chief and ask what we could do to assist the department and his residents about two weeks ago. We were able to get all these law enforcement officers together to help the city.”
Salavantis also made particular mention of Halloween in Hazleton, when people in masks stopped traffic on Alter Street and were jumping on vehicles. Video of those incidents and other trouble that night was widely circulated on social media.
‘Coming to wrong city’
The DA provided these statistics on the day’s activity, which started at about 1:30 p.m. and continued to approximately 9 p.m.:
• 60 police-citizen encounters
• 16 arrests
• Served five outstanding warrants
• Charged four with possession with intent to deliver narcotics
• Seized several hundred pills, approximately 10 grams of marijuana, multiple bundles of fentanyl and heroin, plus methamphetamine
• Impounded 12 vehicles, including one stolen in Philadelphia
• Assisted with one fentanyl overdose
Authorities have yet to release any specific information on the suspects or how they were targeted. A press conference was held Friday night as police were still working some cases.
“We wanted to come together tonight to show … we aren’t going to tolerate the crime that is going on in Hazleton,” said Salavantis.
Chief Speziale added: “I hope it’s clear if you come here to buy drugs, if you come here to sell drugs, you come here to break the law, you’re coming to the wrong city. The good residents deserve a great quality of life and that’s what we are here to do.”
Speziale noted there were several major drug arrests in the days leading up to Friday’s effort.
“This is a lot broader than you can imagine,” the chief said.
He said police seized 2 kilograms each of heroin and fentanyl in the prior busts. Two kilograms is the equivalent of about four-and-a-half pounds. Fentanyl is a powerful painkiller blamed for the spike of overdose deaths locally and nationwide over the last several years.
“The amount of drugs we took off the streets tonight definitely could save some lives,” said Salavantis. “That’s what we are focusing on.”
Not done
Law enforcement promised their work in the city is not complete.
“This will continue,” said the DA. “This isn’t just one night and we’re done. We are going to put a lot of pressure on these criminal organizations that think they can take over the streets. We are here to say you cannot. We’re here to protect the residents of Luzerne County, specifically Hazleton.”
She continued: “This will not be the last time. There will be no notice of when this will happen. We may show up in a week, maybe two.”
Speziale thanked all the different law enforcement agencies that came together to help his officers conduct such a major operation that the city couldn’t do on its own.
Salavantis echoed that sentiment.
”All it took was one phone call. It’s not always that way,” she said. “But we are very fortunate that our work together makes the difference and benefits everyone.”
