Minersville and Port Carbon Police Drug Investigation "Operation Ice Out" Leads to Eight Facing Charges

A drug investigation in Minersville and Port Carbon led to the arrest of 8 people and the seizure of thousands of dollars in drugs.

"Operation Ice Out" was a several month-long drug investigation between the Minersville Police and Port Carbon Police into the sale of various drugs in both boroughs.

During the operation, through the execution of search warrants, controlled buys, and the use of confidential informants, in excess of four pounds of methamphetamine, one ounce of cocaine, one ounce of high potency fentanyl powder, 192 fentanyl pressed pills disguised as Percocet 30 mg tablets, quantity of crack cocaine, 66 Oxycodone pills, 30 Diazepam pills, multiple digital scales, packaging materials, and in excess of $6000.00 in cash was seized.

The investigation involved assistance by from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General – Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, Blythe Township Police, Cass Township Police and Pottsville Police Department.

The following drugs and their street values were seized:

Methamphetamine - $179,200.00
Cocaine - $2,800.00
Fentanyl - $5,600.00 The Fentanyl seized contained approximately 14,000 lethal doses (enough to kill 14,000 people. 2 MG of fentanyl is a lethal dosage.
Fentanyl Pressed Pills - $5,760.00 The Fentanyl pills contained ninety-two lethal doses (enough to kill 96 people) 2 pills is a potentially lethal dose. The pills were pressed and disguised to resemble Percocet 30 mg tablets.
Oxycodone Pills – Street value $660.00
Firearms seized in the investigation - Four handguns and one shotgun

As a result, the following people were charged:

Edward Androsko, 67, Palo Alto - Arrested 11/16/2022 and charged by Port Carbon Police Officer Craig Barket - Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia. Original Bail set by MDJ Plachko set at $125,000 straight cash but later lowered to $50,000 unsecured and released on 12/08/2022. All charges were Waived for Court.

Curtis Barrett, 37, of Reading - Arrested 12/02/2022 and charged by Port Carbon Police Officer Craig Barket - Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia - Bail set by Magisterial District Judge Plachko at $75,000 straight cash bail - Released on Bond on 12/05/2022. Preliminary Hearing set for 12/20/2022.

Derek Millings, 25, of Reading - Arrested 12/03/2022 and charges by Minersville Police Ptlm Jeffrey Bowers - Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia - Bail set at $200,000 straight cash bail by MDJ Plachko - Remains in Schuylkill County Prison - Preliminary Hearing Scheduled for 12/20/2022

Christian Pond, 27, No Known Address - Arrested 10/13/2022 and charged by Port Carbon Police Officer Craig Barket - Possession of a Firearm Prohibited, Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia - Preliminary Hearing scheduled before MDJ Plachko on 12/20/2022

Crystal Shultz, 27, of Minersville - Charged on 12/13/2022 by Minersville Police Ptlm Jeffrey Bowers - Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia - Arraigned on 12/14/2022 by MDJ Plachko - Released on $50,000 unsecured bail - Preliminary Hearing scheduled before MDJ Plachko on 01/31/2023

Achille Walker, 47, of Shamokin - Charged on 12/13/2022 by Port Carbon Police Officer Craig Barket - Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia - Arraigned 12/14/2022 by MDJ Plachko - Released on $50,000 unsecured bail - Preliminary Hearing Scheduled before MDJ Plachko for 01/31/2023

Joshua Bell, 33, of Ashland - Arrested and Charged on 12/01/2022 by Port Carbon Police Officer Craig Barket - Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy to commit drug charges, and possession of drug paraphernalia - Arraigned 12/01/2022 by MDJ Plachko and locked up in Schuylkill County Prison on $75,000 straight cash bail - Charges Waived for Court during Preliminary Hearing on 12/13/2022

Kennedy Greif, 26, of Rock Hill, SC - Charged on 12/07/2022 by Minersville Police Ptlm Jeffrey Bowers - Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia

Photos provided by Minersville Police