According to Hazleton Police, in response to the rising number of incidents in the Hazleton Area, during November 2019, Hazleton Police Department Narcotics Division began an investigation, in the City of Hazleton, into the trafficking of large quantities of Methamphetamine, sale and street distribution.
Shortly thereafter, in the beginning of January, Hazleton Narcotics Detective’s seized, nearly (6) pounds of High Quality Methamphetamine from an undisclosed location.
As a result, members of the Hazleton Police Narcotics Division coordinated with the US Drug Enforcement Administration, Scranton Office, PSP and Luzerne County Drug Task Force in the furtherance of this investigation.
On January 16, 2019, at approximately 1:00PM, Jose L. Vargas, 34, of Hazleton was taken into custody by the above investigators in the area of Diamond and Wyoming Street without incident.
Vargas was in possession of approximately $4,500.00 dollars in US Currency, which was seized and shortly after the arrest, investigators executed a search warrant and raided his residence at 29 West 4th St, Hazleton.
The investigation is ongoing and pertinent details cannot be released in the interest of the continued investigation. Vargas is being charged with Conspiracy, Possession with Intent to Distribute and possible Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.
The investigation is ongoing and pertinent details cannot be released in the interest of the continued investigation. Vargas is being charged with Conspiracy, Possession with Intent to Distribute and possible Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.
Chief of Police, Jerry Speziale said "I am proud of the tireless efforts by the Hazleton Narcotics division in their pursuit to rid the city of illegal narcotics trafficking. The coordination between all the agencies involved led to the successful conclusion of this component of the investigation."