A Manheim Township couple was recently arraigned in Lancaster County Court on felony charges regarding a house raid that yielded bulk heroin, firearms, an armor vest and a “Fugitive Recover Agent” badge.
Melbin Maldonado, 24, and Idalia Morales-Yera, 37, each are charged with felony counts of drug-dealing, regarding a January search in the 2200 block of Coventry Road, Manheim Township.
Both are free on $25,000 unsecured bail.
Lancaster County Drug Task Force detectives raided the home after an investigation, including surveillance details, of suspected drug activity.
On Jan. 15, detectives found and seized:
- 3.5 grams of bulk heroin, with an estimated street value of $400
- 2 loaded handguns and a rifle
- An external body armor vest with “Agent” patches on exterior
- A “Fugitive Recover Agent” badge
- $1,167 in cash
- Drug-packaging supplies
“This is another example of the lengths drug dealers will go to protect their trade and cash proceeds,” District Attorney Craig Stedman said Wednesday. “There is no telling the intentions of individuals who keep loaded guns and an armor vest in the same home where they stash their heroin.”
Maldonado and Morales-Yera’s next court dates are on May 16, for status conferences. Both are presumed innocent.
The Lancaster County Drug Task Force is a team of detectives which operate under District Attorney Craig Stedman.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright