READING, Pa. – Two Reading men face several charges of illegal drug trafficking and gambling for operating a distribution point for bulk illegal narcotics trafficking, police say.
56-year-old Joel Elivo and 28-year-old Junior Garcia-Rincon have been charged with possession and delivery of a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy, and other related charges, a news release says.
Officials say the men were taken into custody after authorities completed a multi-stage narcotics investigation that targeted a large-scale cocaine trafficking operation centered around a social and gambling club in the City of Reading.
According to detectives, the investigation identified Elivo as the manager of a social club and gambling establishment in the 300 block of N. 9th Street in Reading. The club served as a primary meeting location and distribution point for bulk illegal narcotics trafficking, police say.
Additionally, authorities determined that Garcia-Rincon operated as a supplier of bulk cocaine for this network.
During the investigation, police determined that not only was the establishment operating illegally as a gambling venue but also served as an illegal “after-hours” location and was a magnet for violent crime.
On Wednesday, authorities searched both Elivo’s residence and the social club, seizing one kilogram of cocaine with a street value of $100,000 and approximately $20,000 in cash, a news release says.
Police say both Joel Elivo and Junior Garcia-Rincon were placed into custody without incident.
The men were transported to the Berks County Sheriff’s Central Processing Center, and bail was set at $500,000 each, police say.
“Illegal gambling houses and unlicensed “after-hours” clubs are not harmless neighborhood gathering spots but are unregulated hubs that invite broader illicit activity that destabilize our communities and neighborhoods,” said Berks County District Attorney John Adams
“For too long, gambling operations have attempted to hide under the guise of private social clubs while operating outside the law,” he added.
Adams says the DA’s office is committed to shutting down these illegal establishments and dismantling the illicit networks running inside them.
“This enforcement action sends a message: if you run an illegal gambling den or use an after-hours club to push illegal drugs in Berks County, we will shut down your operation, seize your illicit proceeds, and hold you fully accountable under the law,” he said.
This is an ongoing investigation. If anyone has information, please contact the Berks County Detectives at 610-478-7171.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can submit a tip to Crime Alert Berks County by either calling 877-373-9913, downloading the ALERTBERKS app on your mobile device, or by typing ALERTBERKS along with your tip to 847411.