Lancaster County Drug Task Force seizes two pounds of pure fentanyl

The Lancaster County Drug Task Force stopped a major movement of fentanyl and heroin during an operation in January.

That operation not only resulted in three arrests, but also potentially one of the largest seizures of fentanyl in the county’s history.

The task force conducted the operation on Jan. 31 in the 1300 block of Lititz Pike in Manheim Township, according to a news release. Detectives had information that a “major movement of heroin” would be happening that night.

With the aid of a National Guard helicopter, detectives on the ground were able to box in a pair of vehicles involved in the drug movement.

The following three suspects, all from Philadelphia, were arrested:

• Eric Moran, 26
• Luis C. Mercado, 32
• Katherine Joubert, 27

Along with the arrests, detectives seized nearly three pounds of heroin, both in bundles and in bulk form.

That bulk form, weighing in at about 2 pounds, tested positive as pure fentanyl, according to the release. The drug is so potent that even the smallest amount can prove to be fatal, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to name it the deadliest drug in the country.

If the heroin/fentanyl was sold in street quantities, its value could have exceeded $500,000.

“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 Tuesday in a statement. “This could be one of the biggest fentanyl seizures we’ve had in this county.”

Moran, Mercado, and Joubert were each charged with felony possession with intent to deliver (fentanyl) and conspiracy. Moran is also charged with fleeing police and reckless endangerment after police say he tried to escape the scene.

Each suspect are at Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $2 million bail a piece.