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Cops Bust Nanticoke-Based Drug Ring: Authorities Say Persons Allegedly Sold Between $3,000 and $8,000 Worth of Drugs a Day From Location.

Posted on: Tuesday, 24 January 2006, 12:00 CST

By Ron Lieback, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Times Leader

Jan. 24--NANTICOKE -- A drug ring that sold between $3,000 to $8,000 worth of drugs per day at 21 W. Noble St. was broken up by Nanticoke police and members of the Luzerne County Drug Task Force on Friday night.

Two people were arrested in the bust, but more than 20 additional people who arrived at the residence at different times to purchase crack cocaine Friday were taken into custody, Capt. William Schultz said Monday.

Carol Hedlund, 48, who resided at the home, and Matthew Vasquez, 27, of Allentown, were charged with numerous felony drug charges, Schultz said.

Court papers said Hedlund sold crack cocaine to a confidential informant at the residence and allowed dealers to use the residence to distribute drugs.

After entering the residence at 6:40 p.m., police located Vasquez on the second floor. He was in possession of more than 25 grams of crack cocaine and about $2,500, police said.

Police also learned Vasquez was on state parole on a controlled substance violation, Schultz said.

While officers were searching the apartment, more than 20 additional people arrived at the residence to purchase drugs, police said.

Three of them were wanted on outstanding warrants from other agencies, police said.

The additional arrests lead to the seizure of more cash and drug paraphernalia charges, police said. Police also have issued warrants for others involved.

The arrests come after a five-month investigation, which included a confidential informant purchasing drugs at the residence nine times from multiple people, court papers said.

During one incident in September, the informant was asked to take a dealer to Wilkes-Barre to replenish a drug supply, court papers said.

In another incident, police surveillance cameras observed more than 10 people enter the home for a few minutes and then leave. Police said they were using the front and rear entrances.

A juvenile from Philadelphia who was wanted in connection with a Philadelphia robbery was also arrested during the bust. The juvenile, whose family could not be located, was taken into protective custody and then to the Luzerne County Children and Youth Services.

Police said Hedlund was charged with delivery and possession of a controlled substance and criminal conspiracy. She was taken to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $12,000 bail.

Vasquez was charged with delivery and possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, false identification and criminal conspiracy.

He was taken to the prison for lack of $30,000 bail.

A hearing is scheduled for both suspects at 10 a.m. tomorrow before District Judge Donald Whittaker.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Times Leader

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Source: The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.)

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