SCRANTON, PA – A major drug trafficking operation in the Scranton area has been dismantled with the indictment of six individuals on federal charges, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced this week. The bust, the result of a year-long investigation, promises to disrupt the flow of heroin and cocaine into the region, but two suspects remain on the run.
Juan Roman-Polanco, 31, of Avoca, Pennsylvania, stands at the center of the alleged conspiracy. He, along with Myrna Echevarria-Jiminez, 44, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Luis Enrique Martinez Ortiz, 25; Nathaniel Murphy, 41, both of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and two unamed co-conspirators were indicted by a federal grand jury on March 28, 2017. The indictment, unsealed following the arrests on April 10, 2017, details a sophisticated operation involving the distribution of heroin, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine.
The scope of the alleged operation is staggering. Prosecutors claim Roman-Polanco was responsible for over one kilogram of heroin, 500 grams of cocaine, and 28 grams of crack. Davalos allegedly handled more than 500 grams of cocaine, while Echecarria-Jiminez is linked to over 500 grams of the same drug. Martinez-Ortiz is accused of dealing over 100 grams of heroin, 500 grams of cocaine, and 28 grams of crack. Murphy is tied to over one kilogram of heroin – a quantity equivalent to approximately 4,000 individual doses. Two of the six charged remain at large and are considered fugitives. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Drug Enforcement Administration at 570-496-1020.
Beyond drug trafficking, Roman-Polanco faces a separate charge of possessing an AR-15 rifle after a prior felony conviction. This adds another layer of seriousness to the case, highlighting the dangerous combination of drugs and firearms. The investigation, spearheaded by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Wilkes-Barre Police Department, and Pennsylvania State Police, relied heavily on wiretaps to gather evidence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni is prosecuting the case as part of the district-wide “Heroin Initiative,” a program aimed at combating the nationwide opioid epidemic. The initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, coordinating efforts between federal, state, and local law enforcement. While the indictment represents a significant blow to this network, authorities emphasize that this is just one battle in a much larger war.
It’s crucial to remember that these are merely allegations at this stage. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If convicted, they face potentially lengthy prison sentences, with the maximum penalty under federal law ranging from 40 years to life imprisonment, along with supervised release and substantial fines. Sentencing will be determined by the judge, considering federal sentencing statutes and guidelines, and a variety of factors related to the offense and the defendants themselves. # # #
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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