These individuals sold thousands of dollars in addictive, life-altering drugs, sometimes in the presence of children. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Assisted suicide bill proposed by 6 Pa Lawmakers, Hungry? News / Jan 14, 2021 / 11:11 PM EST. Investigators say in late August, authorities were notified that the pair was transporting a large amount of methamphetamine from Allentown to the Altoona area. Altoona police and state narcotics agents executed two search warrants at 6 a.m. Tuesday and seized $186,360 in cash, along with a large stash of suspected fentanyl and heroin, from the two homes, according to police. Many of the arrests in todays roundup were for individuals selling Suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid addiction and prevent painful withdrawal symptoms. Weeks noted that the suspected drugs seized would constitute a week or two worth of drugs to be sold on the streets. 717-787-3391. 717-787-8242 ALTOONA, Wis. (WEAU) - A large drug bust in Altoona results in 20 charges against four people. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. On Aug. 26 police along with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General received info that both Eckert and Walter were transporting a large amount of meth from Allentown, Pa to Altoona to be distributed, according to Altoona Police Departments Facebook post. Four people taken into custody after Altoona drug bust, Colfax man accused of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to deliver, Missing endangered person alert issued for man missing from Sheldon, Authorities identify person dead after single-vehicle rollover crash in Polk County, UWEC Class Taking a Look at Dog Cognition. Simmons was brought into custody on outstanding warrants, and McDaniels was detained on a probation violation, court documents stated. Beyond the 17 arrested as a result of the grand jury, additional investigation led to the arrest of 15 more people who are alleged to have been connected to the larger drug organization. The Eastern Adams Regional Police Department said the stash was found in a storage facility 135 miles east of Philadelphia. Email: NEW DETAILS: After police interviewed both Walter and Eckert, officials found that another contact named C would give the meth to them. by Ron Musselman. Copyright Altoona Mirror | https://www.altoonamirror.com | 301 Cayuga Ave., Altoona, PA 16602 | 814-946-7411, This is a big win for keeping drugs out of the Altoona area,. Eckert would continue to meet with officials and update them on any messages that C would send. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. 4.6 ounces of cocaine, 2023 WATM, ABC 23 - Police say they expect more arrests will be made at a later time as a result of the investigation. Walter currently has a monetary bail value set for $500,000 and Eckert has one set for $300,000. 4 dogs rescued, 1 injured in Foster Township fire, Weekend fire rekindles in Olyphant slaughterhouse, Lawmakers gather in effort to pass bill combating distracted driving, Woman charged with luring man shot during drug deal in Williamsport. 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Its great work by the AG and Altoona police.. The investigation is ongoing, and officials said additional charges are possible. After conducting a traffic stop, both Eckert and Walter were taken into custody and interviewed. Police say the street value of the drugs seized exceeds $250,000, making this case one of the largest meth busts in Blair County history. Buffalo firefighter dies battling downtown blaze, Hope offered after businesses damaged in Bedford, Search warrant in Idaho college killings unsealed, Your gas bill could be lower in Pennsylvania, New OR bill would give $1K a month to homeless people, Hunter who killed pet dogs believed they were coyotes, These four House Republicans broke with the GOP to, DuBois school district receives $100,000 for safety, Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces hes, N. 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Increased arrests of doctors and other medical personnel for illegal diversions of prescription drugs by 72 percent. She explained how she and Walter would get the drugs from a Puerto Rican contact nicknamed C or Mo. Eckert was brought in next to be interviewed by officials. In confiscations conducted over one week in October 2019 alone, the West Drug Task Force seized approximately 12,000 doses of meth totaling over $300,000. Police say they seized nearly 10,000 packets of heroin in total from a home in Altoona and from the vehicle Prunty was in when he was arrested. Citizens are reminded to report suspicious activity. September 24, 2021. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. "Thus, the Suboxone traffic goes hand in hand with opioid addiction in this area and around the state and the county," said Shapiro. Police showed her a potential picture of C at the Ramada Inn in Allentown where they met for the last two deals. Multiple cell phones, In another recorded phone call, Walter talks about how it is his fault that all the kids in the area are on meth and that it is probably his fault. The Altoona Police Department along with the Blair County Drug Task Force and the PA Office of the Attorney General performed a detail in the city and in Logan Township. Drug Bust. All rights reserved, The Stone Company Kitchen Island Giveaway. 50 years ago: March 1, 1973 Police got a warrant for Walter's arrest since he was on parole. Walter was arrested and sent to Altoona Police Department, and officials used two K9 units to search his vehicle. ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) Two people are in custody in what police say is one of the biggest methamphetamine busts to ever take place in Blair County with more arrests to come. Nearly half of the drug dealers arrested today were selling Suboxone. DUNCANSVILLE The Calvin House is going to the dogs. After going through Eckerts phone with her permission, police then found messages between her and C about an order of drugs being placed. This law enforcement action is the result of wiretaps and a year-long grand jury investigation into a drug trafficking network between Philadelphia and Blair counties which authorized the arrest of 17 individuals including the Philadelphia sources of methamphetamine and Blair Countys upper and mid-level dealers. BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) - A Roaring Spring man was sentenced Tuesday to serve multiple decades in prison after he pleaded guilty to trafficking a large amount of meth into Blair County in 2021 . Two men are in custody, and efforts are underway to locate a third. Altoona police seized about $170,000 in suspected heroin earlier this week during an investigation into drug trafficking between Pittsburgh and Altoona, said Sgt. Judge Jones set bail at $500,000 cash for each. Mirror Staff Writer Greg Bock is at 946-7458. INDIANA, Pa. (KDKA) - More than a dozen dealers are facing charges after a drug sweep in Indiana County, prosecutors . Todays charges are the result of a year-long cooperative investigation between the Office of Attorney General, Blair County Drug Task Force, Blair County District Attorney Richard Consiglios Office and the Altoona Police Department. After the first sweep in this area, I promised to remain vigilant and keep coming back to prosecute people peddling this poison in Altoona and Blair Counties and Ive kept that commitment. And over $1,900 in cash. Officials also found that Eckert actually told C that she was working with police and that she brought up an attempt to deceive police to help Walter get released from jail. ALTOONA Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced the arrest of 32 individuals for the sale and distribution of methamphetamine in Blair County. 4.6 ounces of cocaine, Citizens are reminded to report suspicious activity. Well continue working with our law enforcement partners to keep this region safe.. Fifteen people have been arrested for allegedly operating a violent drug trafficking organization that was responsible for $20 million in drug sales in Berks County over a year's time. Operation Our Town is an organization in Blair County with a mission of supporting the fight against drugs and violent crime. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. (Pittsburgh FBI) They're indicted for selling multiple drugs including heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamines, cocaine and crack. My Office has been focused on keeping drug dealers out of communities in the Altoona region since I was sworn in as Attorney General, Attorney General Shapiro said. They did not consider how their actions would ravage the lives of their loved ones, their neighborhoods, communities like Altoona, Hollidaysburg, and East Freedom, and families all across Pennsylvania. ALTOONA Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced the arrest of 32 individuals for the sale and distribution of methamphetamine in Blair County. Fax: Delacruz and Wilt are slated to appear at Central Court for preliminary hearings on July 22. And over $1,900 in cash. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Marshals Service, FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Cambria County Detective Bureau. Although most, if not all, of the narcotics suppliers normally come from out of town, these local dealers are a major component in the narcotics network that spreads this poison throughout the county.. During the search, police allegedly discovered suspected methamphetamine, $1,100 in cash, drug paraphernalia and several firearms, a release from District Attorney Greg Neugebauer stated. First published on April 26, 2021 / 7:41 AM. 717-787-5211 This demonstrates the use of Suboxone to either supplement or obtain heroin. Delacruz was arrested in Johnstown, Cambria County, in 2012 and ultimately sentenced to state prison after pleading guilty to felony drug charges. 717-787-8242 What was in the sky Wednesday night in Pennsylvania? Mercy Hospital established a new credit union with Samuel Raneri as president and BELLWOOD Aquatic design architect Edwin Wallover has been conducting community meetings for pool projects since From Mirror staff reports On Saturday 4/17/21 APD Narcotics officers conducted an investigation into large amounts of heroin being transported Prunty is now facing several charges, including felony conspiracy and drug charges. Courtesy photo / Altoona police and state narcotics agents executed two search warrants and seized $186,360 in cash, along with a large stash of fentanyl and heroin, in an early morning search of two homes Tuesday. HARRISBURG Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced criminal charges against 72 people for selling heroin, illegal prescription opioids, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, crack, bath salts and other drugs in Blair County - the 9th major drug sweep in the county since he took office in January 2017. December 15, 2021 / 11:08 AM / CBS Pittsburgh. He's set to appear In court on . Johnstown,PA 15904, Copyright The 153 grams of heroin equals about 5.5 ounces. Worked with the insurance industry to expand access to drug treatment. Matt Plummer, an Altoona Police Department spokesperson. A forensic extraction of Eckerts phone found two phone numbers for C in her phone. AG Shapiro: Statewide Meth Ring Busted, 32 Arrested In Operation Ice Breaker, Send Drug and Child Predator Anonymous Tips, Community Drug Abuse Prevention Grant Program, ACRE Agriculture, Communities and Rural Environment, Pennsylvania State Coroners Education Board, Voters Rights in Effect at the Polling Places on Election Days. Mailing Address: Mailing Address: 90 Lulay Street, Suite 1 Police say 42-year-old Jayme Walter and 43-year-old Erica Eckert were arrested Thursday on charges of drug possession, manufacturing and conspiracy following a . / CBS Pittsburgh. Police then took her phone to search and told her that she would get it back after the search, according to the complaint. 90 Lulay Street, Suite 1 Arrested on average nearly five drug dealers a day. Three people were taken into custody after police seized drugs, paraphernalia and firearms from a Cambria County residence, a police report stated. Altoona traffic stop leads to drug bust, three charged Three have been charged after a traffic stop in Altoona led to police finding meth, marijuana, packaging supplies, cash, and more in the early hours of Monday morning. 12/23/22 Pa Live! Posted by Altoona Police Department - Altoona, PA on Friday, April 23, 2021 Prunty is now facing several charges, including felony conspiracy and drug charges. On August 26, police say Walters vehicle was stopped along Woodbury Pike, in Taylor Township, were he was taken into custody for a parole violation. Helped lead an ongoing national investigation by 41 Attorneys General of the pharmaceutical industry for their role in fueling the opioid crisis in our country. 72 Drug Dealers Arrested in Latest Blair County Roundup, Send Drug and Child Predator Anonymous Tips, Community Drug Abuse Prevention Grant Program, ACRE Agriculture, Communities and Rural Environment, Pennsylvania State Coroners Education Board, Voters Rights in Effect at the Polling Places on Election Days. 21 grams of a white powder, suspected to be fentanyl, Both await a preliminary hearing for Oct. 7. Blair County and much of rural Pennsylvania is suffering under the drug crisis being fueled by organizations like those taken down today, said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. Those arrested today include: Adrian Speedwell, Nichole Merkerson-Beale, and Ricardo Cade, all of Philadelphia; Terry Bookwalter of Mapleton Depot, Mark Watson of Huntingdon,Tituscott Potts of Hollidaysburg, and Jennifer Strayer of East Freedom; Carlos Custalow Jr., Khalil Graham, Elroy Wise, Shawn Jackson, Kimberly Riggleman, Darwin Herring Sr., Troy Hicks, William Snyder II, Aleeta Queen-Dively, Barbara Bordell, Gerell Shepard, Jenna Raia, Kenneth Roberson, Justin Spanik, Rashelle Summers, Tyler Hetrick, Michael Fletcher, Gregory Betar II, Tiffany Mills, Michael Lowe, Effiann Potts, Scott Redfield, Robert Stanley, Darien Banks, and Rashawn Atkinson, all of Altoona. Distributed 300,000 drug disposal pouches in 17 counties in Pennsylvania. Jonathan Delacruz, 39, and his girlfriend, Tori Wilt, 22, were taken into custody at their 2815 Sixth Ave. home just after 6 a.m.. A search of what police describe as a stash house at 2521 Beale Ave. turned up 27 bricks of suspected packaged heroin, 77 grams of suspected raw heroin and 153 grams of suspected fentanyl. 1 gram of heroin, DUNCANSVILLE The Calvin House is going to the dogs. Thus, the Suboxone traffic goes hand in hand with opioid addiction in this area and around the state and the county, said Blair County District Attorney Richard A. Consiglio. In early July, officers responded to a disturbance at the home. Altoona Police say the 21-year-old and another person were bringing thousands of packets of heroin from Pittsburgh to Altoona. Matt Plummer, an Altoona. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Drugs being placed told her that she would get the drugs from a Puerto Rican contact nicknamed C Mo. Expand access to drug treatment a police report stated picture of C at the.! The complaint phone to search and told her that she would get the drugs from a Cambria County Bureau. 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