The Lancaster County Drug Task Force recently arrested 11 individuals involved in seven separate drug-dealing operations, seizing an estimated $400,000 in heroin, cocaine and marijuana, and several illegal guns.
The arrests included a record heroin seizure last month during a vehicle stop in Lancaster city. In that case, the Task Force seized over a kilogram of heroin – with an estimated street value of $300,000 – from a vehicle on North Plum Street. A subsequent search of a home in Leola led to arrests of three individuals involved in the cartel.
“There’s no doubt the Task Force saved someone’s life by getting this vast amount of poison off the streets,” District Attorney Craig Stedman said Tuesday. “But these arrests also illustrate the growing scope of the problem we face.”
The 1,179 grams of heroin found during the vehicle stop was the most heroin ever seized by the Task Force during a single search. Lancaster city police and their K-9, Leo, assisted in the stop. Additional heroin was found at the Leola home.
Arrested and charged are:
Larry Michael Anne, 49, Leola; at Lancaster County Prison on $1 million bail.
Anthony N. Santiago, 26, Lancaster; at Lancaster County Prison on $1 million bail.
Lindsay R. Trout, 25, Columbia; at Lancaster County Prison on $250,000 bail.
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At Anne’s home in Leola, detectives found a sawed-off shotgun and items linked to heroin packaging/dealing, including a coffee grinder, scale, and rice to keep the heroin dry.
Police believe this heroin was to be distributed in the Ephrata and East Lampeter/Leola area. The investigation is ongoing and police expect to make additional arrests.
Anyone with information about drug-dealing activity in this case or elsewhere in Lancaster County, can contact the Task Force, anonymously, at 717-295-3612.
The Task Force made arrests in six (6) other rings, responding to resident complaints in most cases. Confidential informants, surveillance, and undercover tactics were utilized.
The following are charged:
Angel Noel Martinez, 25:
During an Oct. 2 search at a home in Manor Township, detectives found 3.4 grams of bulk heroin with a street value of $1,150. Police also found 132 packets of heroin, typically sold for $5-$10 apiece.
Three illegally-possessed handguns, a coffee grinder and scales also were found.
Martinez is free on $5,000 unsecured bail, charged with felony drug-dealing.
Shiree Laverne Gray, 48:
Detectives raided a Lancaster home in October at 515 Beaver Street – the third raid there in 18 months. On two prior occasions, Gray’s boyfriend, Michael Tate, was charged. This time, police found 98 grams of bulk heroin (street value $4,000). Police also found in Gray’s vehicle over a pound of marijuana, with a street value of $4,000.
Digital scales and rice bags also were found at the home.
Gray, charged with felony drug-dealing, is free after a bondsman posted $100,000 bail.
Javonne T. King, 25:
During a Sept. 28 raid at 520 Spruce St. in Lancaster, detectives found 2 grams of bulk heroin ($500 street value) and an ounce of crack cocaine ($1,000 street value). King tried to hide the bag of heroin under a couch cushion as police entered the home. Police executed the raid after informants purchased cocaine from King.
King, charged with felony drug-dealing, is at Lancaster County Prison on $150,000 bail.
Alvin J. Santos, 24, and Victor Virola, 23:
During a search of Virola’s Columbia apartment at 124 North Third St., detectives found 2 grams of bulk heroin and 55 packets of heroin, with a combined street value of $700.
Santos didn’t live there, but he entered the apartment just before the raid, wearing a backpack. Police found in the pack 50 packets of heroin ($500 street value) and a handgun.
Santos, charged with felony drug-dealing and illegal possession of a gun, is at Lancaster County Prison on $200,000 bail.
Virola, charged with felony drug-dealing, is at Lancaster County Prison on $175,000. He is also charged with involuntary manslaughter for selling a fatal batch of heroin to a Columbia man who overdosed inside a Columbia Turkey Hill store.
Michael T. Stewart, 37, and Kenton S. Reid, 44
During an October 16 search of a Columbia apartment at 214 N. Third St., detectives found 45 bags of heroin ($300 street value), stamped “Lean Back,” and 14 grams of crack cocaine ($500 street value).
Both are charged with felony drug-dealing, at LCP on $250,000 bail.
Syeen Y. Hill, 35:
Detectives raided a Lancaster home in October at 47 Caroline Street, following citizen complaints and surveillance. Police found 81 grams of powder cocaine ($4,000 street value) and 51 grams of crack cocaine ($2,600 street value). Police also found a stolen handgun and digital scales.
Hill, a convicted felon, is charged with felony drug-dealing, illegal possession of a gun, and receiving stolen property. He is at Lancaster County Prison on $50,000 bail.
DA Stedman said: “These cases show the problem is not limited to any one area and no part of Lancaster County is immune to the heroin scourge. There must be a corresponding countywide approach by the Task Force for proper results in our justice system.”
All the defendants are presumed innocent.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright