Yesterday, the Pennsylvania State Police filed criminal complaints and obtained arrests warrants for 23 people as part of “Operation Hill Fire.”  This was the result of an exhaustive yearlong drug trafficking investigation.  Since April of 2019, the Pennsylvania State Police, working with our Dauphin County Drug Task Force and other law enforcement agencies, dedicated thousands of hours to uncovering evidence of an extensive drug-trafficking organization in the City of Harrisburg.  This organization has distributed large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana.

The occurrence of these arrests during the COVID-19 pandemic was unintentional, but necessary.  This investigation began well before the outbreak of the coronavirus.  However, due to the extensive resources invested in this case, as well as the serious nature of the offenses committed, we needed to bring this investigation to a successful conclusion.  Notably, these defendants continued to operate their drug-trafficking organization despite the restrictions imposed by the pandemic.  Just as your police and prosecutors continue to work everyday during this pandemic, the sophisticated criminals do as well.

We filed the following charges against these individuals.

1. Carlos Soto-Gonzalez, 41-years-old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity; persons not to possess firearms; unlawful sale of firearm

2. Luis Alvarez-Hernandez, 35 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity

3. Angel Cintron-Cardona, 24 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity

4. Christopher Vale-Feliciano, 31 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity

5. Gabriel Rodriguez-Quinones, 32 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (pills); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity

6. Heriberto Ortiz-Torres, 31 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine) possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (marijuana); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity

7. Daniel Mejias-Labrador, 32 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin) possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity

8. Paulara Valentin-Rivera, 23 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity

9. Kenneth Cancel-Menendez, 22 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); criminal conspiracy (Persons not to Possess Firearms); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations

10. Kevin Ponce Garcia, 25 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations

11. Jeffrey Pagan Archeval, 35 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations

12. Omar Alvarado-Ortiz, 26 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations

13. Edwin Perez-Baez, 28 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal conspiracy (unlawful sale of firearm); corrupt organizations

14. Roberto Colon, 32 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations

15. Christopher Rivera, 27 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations

16. Angelica Lugo Lopez, 29 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations

17. Mariely Torres Santiago, 22 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity

18. Braulio Ponce Ramos, 38 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (marijuana); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations

19. Adneryz Jordan-Quiles, 28 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity

20. Nathan Beckfield, 46 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); criminal use of communication facility

21. Paul Klinger, 30 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (heroin); criminal use of communication facility

22. Ramon Rosario (“Weechi”)—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations

23. Jose Borges-Muniz, 27 years old—Charges: criminal conspiracy (PWID); criminal use of communication facility; corrupt organizations

The service of search warrants yesterday as part of this investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately 200 grams of fentanyl, 600 grams of cocaine, 525 packets of synthetic marijuana, a money counting machine, five handguns, one AR rifle, and two stolen ATVs.  In addition, officers seized over $32,000 in cash and seven vehicles that were either used in the drug trafficking operation or represented the proceeds of that illegal activity. 

In addition to the Drug Law Enforcement Division of the PSP, the Harrisburg Bureau of Police and the Dauphin County Drug Task Force played active roles in this investigation.  I am truly grateful to them for their sacrifices during this long investigation that will promote the safety of our community.  Yesterday, we brought these investigations to a conclusion with the coordinated service of numerous arrest warrants and search warrants.  Many other agencies played important roles and I am grateful to all of them.  In addition to the PSP, our County Drug TF, and the Harrisburg Bureau of Police, the Dauphin County Sheriff’s Department, the Lower Paxton Township Police, the Derry Township Police, the Susquehanna Township Police, Swatara Township Police and the Middletown Borough Police worked as a team yesterday.

Captain Kreg S. Rodrigues, Director of the Drug Law Enforcement Division of the Pennsylvania State Police, noted the great effect of this cooperative effort.  “This outstanding investigation validates the dedication and combination of resources combatting drug trafficking in Harrisburg and the Dauphin County area.  Thank you to all of the agencies involved and thank you to the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office for availing themselves 24/7 throughout the investigation.  Numerous agencies worked together toward the common goal of improving the quality of life in our communities.  As evidenced today, those responsible for the distribution of narcotics will be held accountable; our work will continue. The Pennsylvania State Police remains committed to drug enforcement and encourages public assistance in the form of tips regarding drug activity in their communities.” 

Of course, the charges noted above are just allegations.  Each of the defendants retains the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.