Two people are in custody and thousands of doses of heroin and fentanyl are off the street after police in Altoona searched two properties in Altoona. Officials on Sept. 21 would review phone calls in Blair County prison between Eckert and Walter. Harrisburg, PA 17120, Phone: The incident, which prompted Logan Township police to file charges. Mailing Address: 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. Its always good when you can have an investigation that targets this scope of distribution, Weeks said. 00:03. Redroad is facing suspected charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a narcotic drug, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, and obstructing an officer. Judge Jones set bail at $500,000 cash for each. In early July, officers responded to a disturbance at the home. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) - A multi-vehicle crash on Pleasant Valley Boulevard has left the road closed in both directions . Altoona police say two individuals were arrested and charged this week following a "large-scale" methamphetamine bust in Blair County. Two men are in custody, and efforts are underway to locate a third. Attorney General Shapiro: I promised to remain vigilant and arrest people peddling poison in Altoona and Blair Counties and Ive kept that commitment.. Its great work by the AG and Altoona police.. (Pittsburgh FBI) They're indicted for selling multiple drugs including heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamines, cocaine and crack. ALTOONA Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced the arrest of 32 individuals for the sale and distribution of methamphetamine in Blair County. Arrested on average nearly five drug dealers a day. Raemon Prunty was arrested in an alleged drug-trafficking operation in Blair County. 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.. Investigators say in late August, authorities were notified that the pair was transporting a large amount of methamphetamine from Allentown to the Altoona area. Friday, January 20th 2017. Eckert told him that it wasnt just his but both of theirs. Eckert received both her phone and vehicle, that Walter was driving at the time of the traffic stop, due to cooperation with police in identifying C. Eckert met again with officials on Sept. 13 and showed messages from the previous days between her and C. C told her to get in touch with him because he is about to be out again and wanted to know if he should set some aside for her, and he also wanted Js phone number to talk to him, according to the complaint. Altoona police say two individuals were arrested and charged this week following a large-scale methamphetamine bust in Blair County. Matt Plummer, an Altoona Police Department spokesperson. Email: This is a big win for keeping drugs out of the Altoona area, Plummer said Friday afternoon. Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement made a series of approximately 80 controlled purchases utilizing undercover officers/agents. He's set to appear In court on Wednesday. press@attorneygeneral.gov, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Strawberry Square Eckert told Walter that C ghosted her. Eckert was brought in next to be interviewed by officials. 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. Three people were taken into custody after police seized drugs, paraphernalia and firearms from a Cambria County . If you see something, say something.. 717-787-5211 Montonya is facing suspected charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC (2nd+ offense), possession of drug paraphernalia, obstructing an officer, and felony bail jumping. Eckert was arrested at a home in Altoona and was sent to Blair County Central Booking for processing and arraignment while Walter is currently incarcerated and is expected to be arraigned tomorrow, Sept. 24. Walter was arrested and sent to Altoona Police Department, and officials used two K9 units to search his vehicle. 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. 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. Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks pointed out the search warrants and allegations against Delacruz and Wilt show how profitable drug dealing can be and underscores why violence and overdoses are a real risk for the community when there is large-scale heroin and fentanyl distribution. INDIANA, Pa. (KDKA) - More than a dozen dealers are facing charges after a drug sweep in Indiana County, prosecutors . 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. Kenneth Miko, 32, Jacob Simmons 35, and Chris McDaniels, 37, all of Cresson, were detained Friday after a search warrant was executed on the 7900 block of Admiral Peary Highway, Cresson Township. What was in the sky Wednesday night in Pennsylvania? Altoona police seized about $170,000 in suspected heroin earlier this week during an investigation into drug trafficking between Pittsburgh and Altoona, said Sgt. Community / 3 days ago. This case demonstrates the resources available to all corners of Cambria County, and how those resources are used to keep our citizens safe. Walter and Eckert currently face multiple drug felony counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, criminal use of communication facility. A brick would represent about 1 gram, according to police. 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. 717-787-8242 Cause often times its those complaints from community members that start investigations that lead to seizures like this that have six pounds of methamphetamine and additional drugs taken off the street.. Both await a preliminary hearing for Oct. 7. One at a home on Beale Avenue and another on. ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office reported that more than 30 people were arrested Thursday morning in what they called "Operation Ice Breaker." 32 individuals were arrested after the use of wiretaps and a year-long grand jury investigation. Celebrating the African American holiday Kwanzaa . His office has: The Attorney General also thanked Operation Our Town for its support. 21 grams of a white powder, suspected to be fentanyl, 12/23/22 Pa Live! 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. PA Office of Attorney General / Press Office DUNCANSVILLE The Calvin House is going to the dogs. Distributed 300,000 drug disposal pouches in 17 counties in Pennsylvania. 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. Nearly half of the drug dealers arrested today were selling Suboxone. 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. Johnstown,PA 15904, Copyright Individuals with information about drugs or drug dealers in Blair County should contact the Operation Our Town Push Out the Pusher hotline at 814-693-3020. Multiple cell phones, Simmons was brought into custody on outstanding warrants, and McDaniels was detained on a probation violation, court documents stated. Johnstown,PA 15904, Copyright 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. If you see something, say something.. Multiple cell phones, Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Inaugural Bill Howerton Baseball/Softball Media Day, Scranton Prep grad Leo OBoyle thriving with Lafayette, District IV individual wrestling championships, District II individual wrestling championships, Weis Market dietitian uses citrus to make something, Award winning chef cooks up some Wonderful dieting, Mental health influencer out to help a million teens, Agnes at Fifty: A look back at the flood of 1972, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 50 years ago: March 1, 1973 The 153 grams of heroin equals about 5.5 ounces. Eckert would continue to meet with officials and update them on any messages that C would send. Marshals Service, FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Cambria County Detective Bureau. 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. Among those arrested was . Charges are filed against 48-year-old Scott Lapean. Assisting in the search and arrests were the Cambria County Drug Task Force, the Cambria County SERT Team, state Attorney Generals Office, U.S. 717-787-8242 Matt Plummer, an Altoona. And over $1,900 in cash. HOLLIDAYSBURG The bulk of the drug-trafficking offenses filed in October against an Altoona man were dismissed Friday in a preliminary hearing where a defense attorney said the evidence. PA Office of Attorney General / Press Office The Blair County district attorney explained how this bust will greatly impact the local supply of drugs. Departments involved include: The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, Altoona Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, State College Police Department, Patton Township Police Department, Ferguson Township Police Department, and Logan Township Police Department. It is important that these individuals be targeted. Charges are filed against 48-year-old Scott Lapean of Altoona, 32-year-old Bjonca Secora of Menomonie, 24-year-old Cameron Redroad of the Altoona area, and 31-year-old Amber Montonya of Bloomer. 4.6 ounces of cocaine, The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) The Monroe County coroner is on the scene of a crash that has shut down State Route 33. News / Jan 14, 2021 / 11:11 PM EST. Check or add your phone numbers to the Pennsylvania Do Not Call Registry. 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. 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 Altoona police say two individuals were arrested and charged this week following a large-scale methamphetamine bust in Blair County. 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. The Eastern Adams Regional Police Department said the stash was found in a storage facility 135 miles east of Philadelphia. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The Mirror will have full details in the Saturday-Sunday print edition. Three people were taken into custody after police seized drugs, paraphernalia and firearms from a Cambria County residence, a police report stated. Oct 16, 2021. 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. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. 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,. Delacruz and Wilt were taken before Magisterial District Judge Ben Jones for arraignment Tuesday and each face charges that include felony criminal conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Active Scene on Birchwood Lane in Eau Claire Co. Tell us where we should look inside here. Many of the arrests in todays roundup were for individuals selling Suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid addiction and prevent painful withdrawal symptoms. 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. Fax: 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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 . 1 gram of heroin, 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 seized about $170,000 in suspected heroin earlier this week during an investigation into drug trafficking between Pittsburgh and Altoona, said Sgt. 717-787-3391. ALTOONA Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced the arrest of 32 individuals for the sale and distribution of methamphetamine in Blair County. After obtaining a search warrant and searching the vehicle, officials found about six pounds of meth, almost 5 ounces of cocaine, 21-grams of suspected fentanyl, a gram of heroin, cell phones and also $1,901 in US currency. Police say authorities then searched the vehicle and seized the following: Approximately 6 pounds of methamphetamine, All rights reserved, The Stone Company Kitchen Island Giveaway. After conducting a traffic stop, both Eckert and Walter were taken into custody and interviewed. by Ron Musselman. Citizens are reminded to report suspicious activity. DUNCANSVILLE The Calvin House is going to the dogs. Check or add your phone numbers to the Pennsylvania Do Not Call Registry. BRADDOCK (KDKA) -- A candidate running for city council in Braddock has found himself in trouble with the law. 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 Department's Facebook post. He's set to appear In court on . Police got a warrant for Walter's arrest since he was on parole. 2023 WWCP, FOX 8 - Altoona Police say the 21-year-old and another person were bringing thousands of packets of heroin from Pittsburgh to Altoona. Police then took her phone to search and told her that she would get it back after the search, according to the complaint. 50 years ago: March 1, 1973 A Johnstown man who has been a target in two city shootings was arrested Sunday in a Blair County hotel room drug bust. . 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( WTAJ ) - a multi-vehicle crash on Pleasant Valley Boulevard has the...