A drug sting leads to the arrest of two suspected heroin dealers in Huntingdon County. Agents from the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation (BNI) along with local law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of 20 bags of heroin from Luis Bernal, 35 and Jacquita Kiernan, 33, both of 11731 Snyders Run Road, Huntingdon. Bernal is formerly a resident of New York City and Kiernan is formerly a resident of New Jersey.
The charges state that on Monday, Bernal and Kiernan attempted to leave the Huntingdon area in a U-Haul van and were stopped by BNI agents and State Troopers, as well as members of the Huntingdon County Drug Task Force. Both defendants were taken into custody following the traffic stop.
Agents searching their Huntingdon home uncovered an elaborate heroin packaging station with a digital scale, filters, hundreds of empty stamp bags, rubber bands and an ounce rock believed to be a cutting agent. As a result of the search agents seized surveillance equipment, a notebook of records, a loaded shotgun, a loaded Aimpoint 9mm carbine and a loaded .357 Magnum revolver.
They also seized approximately three grams of heroin with an estimated street value of $1,500, a small quantity of crack cocaine and more than $1,000 cash.
Bernal and Kiernan each are charged with one count of criminal conspiracy to deliver heroin, one count of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, one count of possession of heroin and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
Both defendants were arraigned and sent to the Huntingdon County Prison in lieu of $30,000 cash bail each. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next month.