700 Bags Of Heroin Found In Hazleton Raid

Hazleton City Police say that a two month long investigation into the sale of heroin led to an arrest and the discovery of 710 bags of heroin.

Hazleton City Police Department Narcotics Unit assisted by the Luzerne County Drug Task Force executed an early morning raid at 609 N. Vine Street in the City of Hazleton. Police state that on several occasions, 20 year old Luis Lara Hernandex sold heroin/fentanyl. During the investigation a 17 year old juvenile female facilitated the deliveries for Lara Hernandez. A search warrant was executed on his residence on September 21 2018 by the Hazleton Police Department Narcotics Unit, The Hazleton Police Department Special Operations Group, The Luzerne County Drug Task Force consisting of Officers from the West Hazleton Police Department and The Butler Township Police Department and Agents from the US Drug Enforcement Administration. 

The search warrant uncovered approximately 710 bags of packaged heroin/fentanyl, over $1500.00 in cash and a Rugger pistol.
Lara Hernandez was charged with the following:
1.) (3) Felony Counts of Conspiracy to Deliver a Substance
2.) (3) Felony counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance
3.) Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
4.) Corruption of Minors

The investigation into the pistol located in the residence is still ongoing and charges are expected to be forthcoming.
The juvenile female will have felony charges filed against her for the following: 
1.)(3) Counts of Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance
2.)(3) Counts of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility
3.)Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver

Lara Hernandez was later arraigned and transported to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility and is awaiting a preliminary hearing.

Statement by Police Chief Jerry Speziale:

"this is a substantial seizure and should send a clear message, if you sell drugs in our city we seek you out and make certain you face the justice system"