Fentanyl seizure may be biggest ever in Lancaster County, DA says

The Lancaster County Drug Task Force arrested three people and seized heroin and fentanyl in a Manheim Township bust last week, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office.

“The Task Force seized nearly 3 pounds of heroin – in bundles ready for street sale and in bulk form – during a Jan. 31 operation in the 1300 block of Lititz Pike,” DA spokesman Brett Hambright wrote in a prepared statement. “The bulk kilogram (about 2 pounds) tested positive as pure fentanyl.”

The DA’s Office said the task force had information that a “major movement of heroin” would be happening that night.

“Under the spotlight and assistance of a National Guard helicopter, Drug Task Force detectives boxed in a pair of vehicles involved in the drug movement and arrested everyone inside the vehicles,” Hambright said. “One of the drivers, 26-year-old Eric Moran, attempted to flee, nearly striking detectives and other civilians in a parking lot where the deal took place.”

Along with Moran, Luis C. Mercado, 32, and Katherine Joubert, 27, were also charged with felony possession with intent to deliver and conspiracy. All three suspects are from Philadelphia. All three are at the Lancaster County Prison being held on $2 million bail each.

“There is no telling how many people could have been killed by the deadly poisons that are now in police custody rather than on the streets,” Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman said. “This could be one of the biggest fentanyl seizure we’ve had in this county.”

The estimated street value of the drugs is more than $500,000. Detective said about 9,800 bags were branded with a “CATCH UP” stamp.

The district attorney’s office said the investigation is ongoing.