LEHIGH COUNTY, Pa. — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the takedown of what investigators describe as a high-level drug trafficking organization operating out of Lehigh County and distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other narcotics throughout Eastern Pennsylvania.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the investigation involved the FBI along with several local police departments and centered around a network allegedly supplied by traffickers connected to Mexico.
Authorities say charges were filed against ten individuals, including the alleged leader of the organization, Joaquin “Kino” Gonzalez, 40, of Emmaus. Arrests were carried out over the past several days, with the Allentown Police Department assisting in Gonzalez’s arrest over the weekend.
Officials say each defendant is facing charges including corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy, and related offenses.
Investigators say the operation began in 2024 and involved surveillance, search warrants, and seizures across multiple locations. During the investigation, authorities determined Gonzalez allegedly had ties to a supplier in Southern California connected to a Mexican drug trafficking organization that provided narcotics for distribution in Pennsylvania.
Attorney General Sunday described the organization as a major pipeline responsible for distributing dangerous narcotics into communities across the Commonwealth.
Authorities identified the defendants as:
- Joaquin Gonzalez, 40, of Emmaus
- Danny Cancel, 25, of Bethlehem
- Joel Castro, 41, of Orefield
- Sally Garcia-Colon, 39, of Emmaus
- Jorge Marrero-Rodriguez, 60, of Allentown
- Jordan Pagan, 37, of Leola
- John Pagan DeJesus, 49, of Whitehall
- Israel Perez, 45, of Bethlehem
- Anthony Planas, 42, of Bethlehem
- Hanzel Rivera, 37, of Bethlehem
Officials say Gonzalez’s bail was set at $1 million, while the remaining defendants are also being held in custody. Preliminary hearings were scheduled for May 12.
Investigators say surveillance during the investigation documented Gonzalez allegedly delivering approximately six pounds of methamphetamine to Jordan Pagan in 2024.
Authorities also reported recovering approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, seven pounds of marijuana, and cash during a traffic stop involving Rivera.
During searches connected to the investigation, law enforcement seized:
- 5 pounds of fentanyl
- 7 pounds of heroin
- 3,000 fentanyl pills
- 48 pounds of methamphetamine
- 6 pounds of cocaine
- 2 pounds of marijuana
The case is being prosecuted by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Drug Strike Force Section.
All charges are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
