SCRANTON — A narcotics investigation by county, city, state and federal law enforcement agencies yielded two arrests, the Lackawanna County district attorney’s office announced Tuesday.
Kenneth Rivera Otero, 26, of Scranton, and Kaya Zdanowicz, 26, of Wilkes-Barre, each faces charges from the probe conducted by the district attorney’s office Drug Task Force, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration Scranton Field Office, the Pennsylvania State Police Troop R Vice Unit and the Scranton Police Street Crimes Unit.
The investigation focused on Rivera Otero distributing cocaine and crack cocaine in Scranton, according to a news release.
In July and August, investigators said they used a confidential informant to complete two controlled purchases of cocaine and crack cocaine from Rivera Otero. The deals were monitored and recorded, the release said.
On Monday, investigators conducted an additional controlled purchase before taking Rivera Otero into custody. He was found in possession of $421 that included marked money, and a cellphone believed to have been used in narcotics trafficking, according to the news release.
Investigators then executed a search warrant at a residence on Crown Circle Drive in South Scranton. There, they recovered $2,989 in cash that included confidential buy money, a digital scale containing suspected cocaine residue, a strainer used in the manufacture of crack cocaine, Chore Boy mannitol powder commonly used as a cutting agent and packaging materials commonly associated with the distribution of narcotics.
They also recovered documents linking Rivera Otero to the residence. During a post-arrest interview, Rivera Otero admitted to the drug sale that occurred on the day of his arrest, according to the release.
Rivera Otero is charged with two counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, a felony; criminal use of a communication facility, a third-degree felony; possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Zdanowicz, who was found in possession of a glass pipe used to smoke crack cocaine and a metal canister containing cocaine residue, is charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher speaks during a press conference in the foyer of the Lackawanna County Courthouse in Scranton Monday, April 6, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)