Officials: 1 Arrest In Montco Drug Investigation
By Jim Melwert
NORRISTOWN, Pa., (CBS) -- A Montgomery County man is in police custody, accused of trafficking millions of dollars of heroin from Atlanta into the Philadelphia suburbs and up to New York City.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele says after tailing 44-year-old David Pacheco of East Norriton for months, they arrested him last month at the King of Prussia toll plaza on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Steele says they found heroin hidden in a specially made car battery in Pecheco's pick-up truck.
"These are working batteries that we believe are being made Mexico and kilos are hidden in the compartments," said Steele.
Steele says in last month's arrest, they seized three kilos of heroin which has an estimated street value of more than $1 million.
But that's just in one trip. Steele says, through an investigation involving state, local, and national agencies, they've been able to connect Pecheco to a total of nine similar smuggling trips.
"So in total the defendant is being charged with acquiring and distributing 27 kilos of heroin, nearly 60 pounds of heroin with a total street value of about $9 million," said Steele.
Steele says, since they confiscated the three kilos last month, they've heard complaints of how difficult it is to get heroin in Montgomery County.
"We've severed an artery in a significant heroin trafficking organization, ultimately stopping the flow of this deadly drug into and through our area," said Steele.
