A two-year investigation resulted in arrests of three “upper-level” drug dealers from Lancaster County and one of the area’s larger cocaine seizures in recent years.
The Lancaster County Drug Task Force, assisted throughout the investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations, (HSI) Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) Philadelphia and Drug Enforcement Agency, filed felony charges against:
- Carlos “Wimo” Xavier Ramos, 26, of 660 Wyncroft Lane, Apt. 8, Lancaster;
- Carlos “Fresa” A. Ramos-Lebron, 26, also of 660 Wyncroft Lane, Apt. 8, Lancaster;
- Jose A. Quiles-Rivera, 23, of 240 West Mifflin St., Lancaster.
The charges were filed after four search warrants were served in recent days at two residences and two storage lockers in Lancaster County.
Detectives found a kilogram of cocaine – valued between $35,000 and $50,000 – and seven firearms, four of them stolen.
“This collaborative investigation has brought down three upper-level dealers and uncovered a volume of drugs, stolen firearms and cash,” Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman said Tuesday. “From here out, we will seek severe consequences in court so all are held accountable for the illegal trade of these poisons.”
The investigation is ongoing.
Detectives also seized:
- Seven grams of bulk heroin, valued around $2,000;
- $2,860 cash;
- Drug-packaging materials;
- Cutting agents;
- A four-foot-tall press used to compress cocaine.
Ramos and Ramos-Lebron are charged with counts of possession with intent to deliver cocaine and heroin, receiving stolen property, conspiracy and drug paraphernalia.
Both are at Lancaster County Prison – Ramos-Lebron on $3 million bail; Ramos on $2 million bail.
Quiles-Rivera is charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine, conspiracy and drug paraphernalia. He is at Lancaster County Prison on $1 million bail.
Assistant District Attorney Barry Goldman approved filing of the charges.
All three defendants are presumed innocent.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright
