Two arrested after multi-agency cocaine investigation in Scranton

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — A months-long narcotics investigation in Scranton has led to the arrests of a Scranton man accused of selling cocaine and crack cocaine and a Wilkes-Barre woman facing drug possession charges.

The Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office announced the arrests of Kenneth Rivera Otero, 26, of Scranton, and Kaya Zdanowicz, 26, of Wilkes-Barre, following a joint investigation involving the Lackawanna County Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Scranton Field Office, the Pennsylvania State Police Troop R Vice Unit and the Scranton Police Street Crimes Unit.

According to investigators, Rivera Otero was the focus of a months-long investigation into the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine in Scranton.

Authorities said investigators used a confidential informant to complete two controlled purchases of cocaine and crack cocaine from Rivera Otero during July and August. The transactions were monitored and recorded as part of the investigation.

On Aug. 3, investigators conducted another controlled purchase before taking Rivera Otero into custody. Police said he was found carrying $421 in cash, including pre-recorded buy money, and a cellphone investigators believe was used in the alleged drug trafficking operation.

Following the arrest, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence on Crown Circle Drive, Skyview Park Apartments, in South Scranton.

During the search, authorities said they seized approximately $2,989 in cash, including confidential buy money, a digital scale with suspected cocaine residue, a strainer allegedly used in the manufacture of crack cocaine, Chore Boy, mannitol powder commonly used as a cutting agent, packaging materials associated with drug distribution and documents linking Rivera Otero to the residence.

Investigators also said Rivera Otero admitted to the drug sale that occurred on the day of his arrest during a post-arrest interview.

Rivera Otero is charged with:

Two counts of delivery of a controlled substance.Two counts of criminal use of a communication facility.Two counts of possession of a controlled substance.Two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Authorities also arrested Kaya Zdanowicz, who investigators said was found in possession of a glass pipe used to smoke crack cocaine and a metal canister containing cocaine residue.

Zdanowicz is charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.