Heroin ring busted in Lancaster

A heroin ring bust in Lancaster results in the arrests of eleven suspected drug dealers, accused of distributing at least half a million dollars worth of heroin in Lancaster City over the past year.

Attorney General Kathleen Kane said a joint investigation with the Lancaster City Police Department started in May of 2013, following up on hundreds of citizen complaints about the frequency brazen drug dealing occurring in plain sight in the area of Stevens Avenue, East End Avenue and Mifflin Street in Lancaster City. Evidence and testimony regarding the alleged criminal activity was presented to a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended the criminal charges being filed today.

The grand jury identified the leader of the drug organization as Conde Santiago, 37, 50 Stevens Ave., Lancaster. With the help of his right-hand man, Narmo Sanchez-Zayas, Santiago allegedly developed a network of runners to sell heroin – primarily in front of his Stevens Avenue residence.

Agents believe that in addition to being charged with conducting open air drug deals, runners in the Santiago organization also allegedly used common stash places along city streets, such as in cars and city-owned trash cans in order to hide drugs from law enforcement. In many instances, runners allegedly used bicycles to retrieve the heroin from these stash locations in order to complete transactions.

According to the grand jury, runners were paid with either heroin or cash and sold heroin in quantities ranging from bags to multiple bundles. A bundle of heroin typically contains 10 bags and has an estimated street value of $100. Agents believe that the Santiago organization, which was described as a “24-7” operation, was responsible for selling more than half a million dollars worth of heroin in the past year.

Over the course of the investigation, agents were able to identify nine different heroin brand names allegedly used by the organization, including; “Lady Bug,” “Still the Best,” “Jump Lil High” (with a frog symbol), “888,” “Versage,” “Super Power,” “$,” an eagle symbol and a lady bug symbol.

Attorney General Kane explained that heroin dealers typically stamp their drugs with brand names to entice potential buyers. As with any brand name, these stamps purportedly signify the quality of the heroin being bought and the organization from which it can be obtained.

Under Attorney General Kane’s direction, the Office of Attorney General now maintains a heroin stamp database with more than 1,200 stamps identified since January 2013. The office is building a robust intelligence analysis capability by collaborating with local, state, and national law enforcement because the sale and use of heroin is not limited to Pennsylvania’s borders.

Attorney General Kane noted that these arrests do not appear to be related to the recent rash of heroin overdose deaths in western Pennsylvania; however, they are indicative of the very real threat heroin poses in communities across the Commonwealth.

During the course of the investigation, agents seized approximately $27,000 cash, more than 1,300 bags of heroin (equivalent to as much as 40 grams), two ounces of cocaine and six vehicles.

Attorney General Kane thanked the Lancaster City Police Department, Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman’s office, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole for their assistance with the investigation.

The case will be prosecuted in Lancaster County by Senior Deputy Attorney General Heather Adams of the Attorney General’s Drug Strike Force Section.

Below is a complete list of the defendants and the charges against them.