SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — A 33-year-old Scranton man is facing felony drug charges after an undercover cocaine investigation that authorities say ended with the discovery of $8,000 in his vehicle.
Emanuel Vazquez Declet was arrested Wednesday, Aug. 12, following an investigation by the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office Drug Unit and Scranton Police Department Street Crimes Unit.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, the investigation began around 2:50 p.m. when a confidential informant told investigators they could purchase cocaine from an unidentified man who would obtain the drug from his supplier.
Investigators searched the informant, provided prerecorded money for the controlled purchase and equipped the informant with a covert audio device, according to court documents.
Authorities then established surveillance near Pittston Avenue and Gibbons Street in South Scranton.
Police allege the unidentified man met with the informant before a white Honda Accord driven by Vazquez Declet arrived and picked him up.
According to the affidavit, Vazquez Declet drove the man to the area of South Webster Avenue and Gibbons Street. The man then got out of the vehicle, returned to the confidential informant, and allegedly handed over cocaine.
Investigators subsequently directed officers to take Vazquez Declet into custody.
Police stopped him near Ripple Street and Pittston Avenue. According to the affidavit, officers advised Vazquez Declet of his rights using a body-camera translator.
Investigators allege Vazquez Declet admitted delivering the cocaine and accepting the prerecorded money used in the controlled purchase.
Vazquez Declet also consented to a search of his vehicle, according to court documents.
Investigators said they discovered $8,000 in cash inside a cigarette pack, including some of the prerecorded buy money. Police also recovered a T-Mobile cellphone they allege was connected to the transaction.
Court documents charge Vazquez Declet with felony manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance and felony criminal use of a communication facility.
He is also charged with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The paraphernalia charge alleges Vazquez Declet possessed a plastic bag used to store cocaine.
The charges are allegations, and Vazquez Declet is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher said proactive drug investigations are important to combating trafficking in Scranton.
“Drug trafficking damages neighborhoods, fuels violence and threatens the safety of our families,” Gallagher said.
Gallagher said the county’s Drug Taskforce will continue working with law enforcement partners to identify suspected drug dealers and conduct controlled investigations aimed at removing illegal narcotics from local communities.
Ripple Street and Pittston Avenue in Scranton