READING – Narcotics agents from the Attorney General’s office shattered an 18 person drug operation that was responsible for bringing millions of dollars worth of cocaine, heroin and marijuana, some from a source in New York City, into Berks, Lebanon, Cumberland, Dauphin and Philadelphia counties.
Attorney General Tom Corbett said that the investigation known as “Operation Triple Threat” began when undercover agents first identified a lower-level street dealer who dealt quarter-ounce to one-ounce quantities of cocaine in Cumberland County. Agents made a controlled purchase from the dealer, and the ensuing investigation revealed three separate organizations that were part of a complex multi-million dollar network of suppliers and dealers.
“Illegal drugs are not just a danger to the users, but to everyone in our communities because they are a catalyst for crimes of all types,” said Corbett. “Thanks to the tenacious work of our agents, 18 more drug dealers are off our streets.”
Corbett said that when the organization was at its peak, it was moving about 81 kilos of cocaine per year, which translated into an estimated $2.9 million annually. This broke down to roughly 2-3 kilos, street value of $108,000, each month in both Berks and Lebanon counties and 3/4 of a kilo, street value of $27,000, monthly in Dauphin County.
Throughout the investigation, agents seized more than 5 1/2 kilos of cocaine, 24 pounds of marijuana, 70 grams of heroin and more than $56,500 in cash.
Evidence and testimony regarding the drug organizations was presented to a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended the criminal charges being filed today.
Cesar Jaen organization, Dauphin/Cumberland County
According to the grand jury, narcotics agents made a number of controlled cocaine purchases from Harry Tolbert in both Cumberland and Dauphin counties. On one occasion, Tolbert sent one of his associates, Kevin Evanoff, to deliver the cocaine on his behalf.
These purchases helped agents identify Tolbert’s source as Cesar Jaen, of Harrisburg. On one occasion, Jaen used his girlfriend, Sherry Snyder, to deliver cocaine for him.
The grand jury found that Jaen received his drugs from three separate sources: Julio “Bling-Bling” Rodriguez-Ortiz, from Reading, Jesus “Cano” Garcia, from Lebanon County, and Victor “Pisano” Valdez, from the Bronx in New York City.
On Feb 8, 2007, agents executed a search warrant on Jaen’s residence and recovered 24 ounces of cocaine, 17 pounds of marijuana and a .40 caliber handgun.
According to the grand jury, Jaen received those 24 ounces of cocaine from Valdez. On Feb 21, 2007, Valdez was taken into custody and agents recovered 10 grams of heroin from his vehicle.
Julio “Bling-Bling” Rodriguez-Ortiz organization, Berks County
Corbett said that one of Jaen’s alleged suppliers, Julio “Bling-Bling” Rodriguez-Ortiz, was responsible for the distribution of kilo quantities of cocaine in the Berks County area. Once agents identified Rodriguez-Ortiz, the investigation uncovered four of his associates, including two of his sources.
According to the grand jury, those four associates were Joseph “Josey” Rosario and Samuel “Sammy” Lopez, who were both supplying kilo quantities of cocaine to Rodriguez- Ortiz, Jose Azcona, who sometimes made deliveries on Lopez’s behalf, and Miguel Ortiz, who allegedly stored cocaine for Rodriguez-Ortiz at his own residence.
The investigation also revealed one of Rodriguez-Ortiz’s regular buyers as Purnell McCalvin, whom Rodriguez-Ortiz was allegedly selling 65 to 130 gram quantities of cocaine to for the past five years.
Jesus Garcia organization, Lebanon County
The grand jury revealed that approximately five years ago, Jaen began selling cocaine to Jesus “Cano” Garcia. Jaen knew that Garcia was also in the cocaine business and, at times, purchased cocaine from Garcia. Garcia had his own ring of associates.
Corbett said Angel Rodriguez, Garcia’s cousin, allegedly handled cocaine deliveries while Garcia was in the Dominican Republic. Luis Mojica and Alex Rodriguez also delivered for Garcia from time to time.
According to the grand jury, agents made multiple controlled buys from Garcia and his associates. These buys ranged anywhere from one ounce to 125 grams of cocaine.
The investigation into Garcia’s organization also revealed that one of Garcia’s alleged drug sources was Juan Albert “Rooster” Ortiz from Philadelphia. Ortiz allegedly supplied cocaine to Garcia in quantities from 125-250 grams. Ortiz was also allegedly in the heroin business.
Corbett said that Ortiz had an associate, Jose “Blue” Alvarez, who allegedly made deliveries on Ortiz’s behalf, including a 40-gram heroin delivery on August 21, 2007.
According to the grand jury, Garcia also had a multiple pound marijuana source in Lebanon County. This source was identified as Rosalio Marez. On October 31, 2007, agents made a controlled purchase of three pounds of marijuana from Marez. On January 4, 2008, agents made a controlled purchase of four pounds of marijuana from Marez.
“It’s disappointing that people who are intelligent enough to have a complex network that operates much like a legitimate business choose to go down this road,” Corbett said. “The drug business can be very profitable for these people, until inevitably, they end up in prison.”
Rodriguez-Ortiz, Miguel Ortiz, Rosario, Lopez, Azcona and McCalvin will be prosecuted in Berks County. They will be arraigned before Berks County Magisterial District Judge Deborah Lachina.
Garcia, Alex Rodriguez, Mojica, Angel Rodriguez and Marez will be prosecuted in Lebanon County. They will be arraigned before Lebanon County Magisterial District Judge Maria Dissinger.
Jaen, Snyder, Valdez, Tolbert, Evanoff, Juan Albert Ortiz and Alvarez will be prosecuted in Dauphin County. They will be arraigned before Dauphin County Magisterial District Judge Joseph Lindsey.
All will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Heather Adams of the Attorney General’s Drug Strike Force Section.
Corbett thanked the Cumberland and Lebanon County Drug Task Forces and the Reading Police Department for their assistance and cooperation with this investigation.
A complete list of the defendants and the charges against them is below:
— Julio “Bling-Bling” Rodriguez-Ortiz, 35, Wyomissing, is charged with two counts of delivery of cocaine, one count of possession with intent to deliver cocaine, one count of criminal use of a communications facility and one count of corrupt organizations.
— Miguel Ortiz, 36, Reading, is charged with one count of possession with intent to deliver cocaine and one count of criminal conspiracy.
— Joseph “Josey” Rosario, 24, Reading, is charged with two counts of delivery of cocaine, two counts of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communications facility. He is currently incarcerated in Reading County Jail.
— Samuel “Sammy” Lopez, 28, Reading, is charged with two counts of delivery of cocaine, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of criminal use of a communications facility. He is currently incarcerated in Reading County Jail.
— Jose Azcona, 31, Reading, is charged with two counts of delivery of cocaine, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of criminal use of a communications facility. He is currently incarcerated in Reading County Jail.
— Purnell McCalvin, 33, Pottstown, is charged with one count of possession with intent to deliver cocaine and one count of criminal conspiracy.
— Jesus “Cano” Garcia, 42, Lebanon, is charged with four counts of delivery of cocaine, three counts of criminal conspiracy, two counts of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
– Alex Emilio Rodriguez, 38, Lebanon, is charged with one count of delivery of cocaine, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Luis Mojica, 39, Lebanon, is charged with three counts of criminal conspiracy, two counts of delivery of cocaine and two counts of corrupt organizations.
— Angel Rodriguez, 44, Lebanon, is charged with four counts of delivery of cocaine, two counts of criminal conspiracy, two counts of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Rosalio Marez, 40, Fredericksburg, is charged with two counts of delivery of marijuana and one count of criminal conspiracy.
— Cesar Jaen, 45, Harrisburg, is charged with five counts of delivery of cocaine, one count of possession with intent to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with intent to deliver marijuana, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Sherry Snyder, 36, Harrisburg, is charged with one count of delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal conspiracy.
— Victor “Pisano” Valdez, 46, Bronx, N.Y., is charged with one count of delivery of cocaine, one count of possession with intent to deliver heroin and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Harry Tolbert, 37, Harrisburg, is charged with three counts of delivery of cocaine, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Kevin Evanoff, 25, Enola, is charged with one count of delivery of cocaine, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Juan Albert “Rooster” Ortiz, 43, Philadelphia, is charged with three counts of delivery of heroin, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of delivery of cocaine, one count of delivery of a non-controlled substance, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Jose “Blue” Alvarez, 43, Philadelphia, is charged with one count of delivery of heroin, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.