D.A. Risa Vetri Ferman said on Wednesday that it all began back in November when detectives developed information that Jose Mauricio Rodriguez-Cordero, of the 600 block of Chain Street in Norristown, was allegedly trafficking large quantities of cocaine.
The investigation, dubbed "Operation Chain Link" uncovered links to cocaine, marijuana and prescription medication traffickers and users in Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia, Delaware and Chester Counties, Ferman said.
Wiretaps led to an undercover investigation, Ferman said, and in a meeting with an agent, Rodriguez-Cordero allegedly agreed to buy cocaine.
On December 20th, Ferman said Rodriguez-Cordero paid the undercover agent $27,500 in cash for one kilogram of cocaine and asked for another kilogram of cocaine to be "fronted" to him with the promise that cash would be paid after it was sold. Rodriguez-Cordero was arrested during this transaction.
The DA says the money came from two brothers, defendants John and James Gambone. Investigators say the Gambones were seen driving to the Chain Street location in a vehicle belonging to the Gambone Development Company, well known in the county.
"We learned through this investigation they provided significant financial backing to purchase cocaine," Ferman said.
19 homes in five counties were searched, leading to a marijuana trafficking operation based in King of Prussia hotel room. Ferman said detectives linked this drug trafficking organization to sources of supply in the State of New York and Canada.
Among the items confiscated in Operation Chain Link were images of a man described as the patron saint of drug smugglers.
"These drug traffickers pray to Jesus Malvede for protection from law enforcement," Ferman said. "It did not work this time."
21 of the 25 people who were charged were arrested on Wednesday morning.
The list of those charged are:
1) Jose Mauricio Rodriguez Cordero, Age: 24; 631 Chain Street, Norristown, Montgomery County; a Costa Rican National illegally residing in the United States
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 32 counts
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds - 5111 F1 = 11 counts
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 25 counts
Criminal Attempt 901F = 1 count (Incident with Matatan)
Drug Paraphernalia - 1333 M = 1 count
Drug Paraphernalia - 1332 M = 2 counts
2) Israel Rodriguez, a/k/a "Cucho", Age: 40, 4329 Glendale Street, Philadelphia County
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 9 counts
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds - 5111 F1 = 2 counts
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 5 counts
3) David Meade, a/k/a "Daud", Age: 35, 841 E. Willard Street, Philadelphia County
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 1 count
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Persons Not To Possess Fireman - 6105 F2 = 1 count
Possession of an Instrument of Crime - 907 M1 = 1 count
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 1 count
4) Victor Sabater-Almodovar, a/k/a "Cuco", Age: 50, Address: 207 Lippincott Street, Philadelphia County
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 1 count
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 1 count
5) Victor Aristy, a/k/a "Matatan" – 412 West Courtland Street, Philadelphia County
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 3 counts
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 3 counts
Drug Paraphernalia - 1333 M = 1 count
Criminal Conspiracy - CC903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1333 M) = 1 count
6) Oscar Santos, Age 23, 1307 West Elm Street, Norristown, Montgomery County, Mexican National illegally residing in the United States.
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 14 counts
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds - 5111 F1 = 4 counts
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 8 counts
Drug Paraphernalia - 1332 M = 1 count
7) Iran Ramirez, Age: 28, 1307 West Elm Street, Norristown, Montgomery County; Mexican National illegally residing in the United States.
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 5 counts
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 2 counts
Drug Paraphernalia - 1333 M = 1 count
Drug Paraphernalia - 1332 M = 1 counts
8) Eliester Melendez, a/k/a "Gordo", Age: 32, 5261 North Fifth Street, 2nd Floor – rear, Philadelphia County
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 8 counts
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds - 5111 F1 = 1 count
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 3 counts
Possession of an Instrument of Crime - 907 M1 = 1 count
Receiving Stolen Property - CC3925 = 1 count
Drug Paraphernalia - 1333 M = 2 counts
Drug Paraphernalia - 1332 M = 2 counts
9) Jimmy Lopez, a/k/a "Bala", Age: 31, 1001 Stanbridge Street, 3rd Floor, Norristown, Montgomery County; Mexican National illegally residing in the United States.
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 3 counts
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds - 5111 F1 = 1 count
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 2 counts
Drug Paraphernalia - 1332 M = 1 count
10) Dayana Hernandez-Mendoza, Age: 26, 631 Chain Street, Norristown, Montgomery County
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 7 counts
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 2 counts
Drug Paraphernalia - 1332 M = 1 count
11) Jorge A. Goya-Hidalgo, Age 25, Address: 428 West Fisher Avenue, Philadelphia County
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 2 counts
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 2 counts
Drug Paraphernalia - 1333 M = 2 counts
Drug Paraphernalia - 1332 M = 2 counts
12) John Gambone, Age 26, 601 Nantucket Circle, King of Prussia, Montgomery County
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 7 counts
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds - 5111 F1 = 3 counts
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 6 counts
Possession of an Instrument of Crime - 907 M1 = 1 count
Drug Paraphernalia - 1332 M = 1 count
13) James Gambone, Age 24, 601 Nantucket Circle, King of Prussia, Montgomery County
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 5 counts
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 2 counts (1 for Mauricio and 1 for King of Prussia - marijuana)
Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds - 5111 F1 = 1 count
Possession of an Instrument of Crime - 907 M1 = 1 count
Drug Paraphernalia - 1332 M = 1 count
14) John Halstead, Age: 29, 831 Cottonwood Drive, Malvern, Chester County
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 1 count
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds - 5111 F1 = 1 count
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 1 count
Possession of an Instrument of Crime - 907 M1 = 1 count
15) Joshua Griffith, Age: 29, 1323 Greenhill Road, West Chester, Chester County
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 2 counts
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds - 5111 F1 = 1 count
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 1 count
Possession of an Instrument of Crime - 907 M1 = 1 count
16) Pedro A. Nunez-Gonzalez, Age 24, 817 West Firth Street, Philadelphia County
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds - 5111 F1 = 1 count
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 1 count
17) Arturo Martinez, Age 34, Address: 4555 South West 142nd Avenue, Beaverton, Oregon
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 4 counts
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 2 counts
18) Clara Ramirez, Age 55, 546 Kohn Street, Norristown, Montgomery County
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 2 counts
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 2 counts
19) Joel J. Sukalski, Age: 34, 154 Providence Forge, Royersford, Montgomery County
Possession of a Controlled Substance - CS1316M = 1 count
20) Victor Ascencion, Age 24, 439 West 10th Avenue, Conshohocken, Montgomery County
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 1 count
Possession of a Controlled Substance - CS1316M = 2 counts
21) Jose Luis Garcia-Castillo, Age 27, 656 Kohn Street, Norristown, Montgomery County
Illegal Use of Communications Device - 7512 F3 = 1 count
Possession of a Controlled Substance - CS1316M = 1 count
22) Angel M. Rios-Gonzalez, Age 32, 426 East Lehman Avenue, Lebanon County
Corrupt Organization - CC911 (b) F1 = 1 count
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 1 count
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
23) Kimberly Joyce Kemison, Age 29, 548 Pontoon Bridge Road, Massena, New York
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 1 count
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds - 5111 F1 = 1 count
24) Zachary A. Theisen, Age 22, 6843 U.S. Highway 11, Potsam, New York
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 1 count
Criminal Conspiracy - CC 903 F (The conspiracy is for the 1330 F) = 1 count
Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds - 5111 F1 = 1 count
25) Craig Eric Cressman, Age 24, 529 West Church Road, King of Prussia, Montgomery County
Man/Del/PWI - 1330 F = 1 count
Possession of an Instrument of Crime - 907 M1 = 1 count
Drug Paraphernalia 1332M = 1 count
