Two men were arrested and charged following a multi-stage undercover investigation into what authorities described as a large-scale cocaine trafficking operation centered around a social and gambling club in Reading.
The Berks County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, working with Pennsylvania State Police and the Reading Police Department, identified a social club in the 300 block of North Ninth Street as a meeting location and distribution point for illegal narcotics trafficking, according to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.
Investigators identified 56-year-old Joel Elivo, of the 100 block of Peach Street in Reading, as the manager of the social club and gambling establishment. Authorities said 28-year-old Junior Garcia-Rincon, of the 300 block of North Front Street in Reading, operated as a source of bulk cocaine for the network.
According to investigators, the establishment was also operating illegally as a gambling venue and an after-hours location. Authorities described the location as a magnet for violent crime.
On Sept. 9, Berks County Common Pleas Judge J. Benjamin Nevius authorized multiple search warrants at locations in Reading, including 316 N. Ninth St. and a residence in the 100 block of Peach Street.
The warrants were served Sept. 10 by officers from the participating agencies. Elivo and Garcia-Rincon were taken into custody without incident.
Authorities said approximately one kilogram of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $100,000, and about $20,000 in cash were seized during the searches.
Both men were charged with delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal conspiracy.
They were taken to the Berks County Sheriff’s Central Processing Center, where they were photographed and fingerprinted before being arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Tonya Butler. Bail was set at $500,000 for each defendant.
Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams said illegal gambling houses and unlicensed after-hours clubs can serve as hubs for other criminal activity.
“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,” Adams said. “These locations frequently serve as fronts for criminal enterprises and as demonstrated in this investigation, some of these places serve as fronts for illegal drug trafficking and attract violence.”
Adams said his office would continue working with state and local law enforcement agencies to target illegal gambling and after-hours establishments connected to criminal activity.
“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,” Adams said.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information was asked to contact the Berks County Detectives at 610-478-7171. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Crime Alert Berks County by calling 877-373-9913, using the ALERTBERKS mobile app, or texting ALERTBERKS followed by the tip to 847411.
The filing of criminal charges is an accusation. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.