10 facing charges in connection with alleged Lehigh County-based drug trafficking organization

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WPVI) -- Ten people are facing charges after authorities say they operated a Lehigh County-based drug trafficking organization.

Each defendant is charged with corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver, and conspiracy and other related offenses.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday's office says 40-year-old Joaquin "Kino" Gonzalez from Emmaus led the organization.

The attorney general said the group used suppliers in Mexico to traffic fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine in multiple Pennsylvania counties.

This has been an ongoing investigation since 2024, involving searches at numerous locations.

The other nine people facing charges include the following:

• 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

During searches, investigators say officers seized 5 pounds of fentanyl, 1.7 pounds of heroin, 3,000 fentanyl pills, 4.48 pounds of methamphetamine, 4.6 pounds of cocaine and 11.2 pounds of marijuana.

Preliminary hearings are scheduled for Tuesday.