SHAMOKIN - A 14-month investigation into a local cocaine and heroin ring culminated Tuesday with the arrest of eight individuals and confiscation of several thousand dollars worth of narcotics.
The drug raid, which started at 7 a.m., involved a joint investigation by state narcotics agents, local police and Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Rosini's office.
Attorney General Linda Kelly said the investigation focused on the import and distribution of heroin and cocaine throughout Northumberland County, specifically in Shamokin. Evidence and testimony regarding the alleged drug activity was presented to a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended the criminal charges be filed.
Tuesday's bust comes one month after another raid that resulted in charges being filed against approximately 100 individuals throughout the county, including many in the Shamokin, Mount Carmel, Sunbury and Milton areas.
According to the grand jury, agents and local police conducted numerous controlled deliveries and purchases of cocaine and heroin and were able to identify Jeffrey J. Nahodil, 38, of Shamokin, as the main drug source and local distributor.
The grand jury found that Nahodil, who is currently incarcerated at SCI-Coal Township after being recently transferred from SCI-Greensburg, imported cocaine and heroin from New Jersey and Harrisburg for redistribution in lower Northumberland County. At least seven suspects have been identified as co-conspirators who assisted Nahodil in the distribution.
Agents said the defendants met their customers on the streets of Shamokin and other Northumberland County communities, in parking lots, at businesses and occasionally at their homes to purchase and sell drugs.
Authorities reported the street value of the drugs seized in the raid totaled approximately several thousand dollars.
Kelly said the arrests are part of an ongoing effort to target local, street-level drug dealers and suppliers. Additional arrests are pending.
Defendants
- Nahodil is charged with two counts of criminal use of a communication facility, three counts of possession with intent to deliver cocaine/heroin and three counts of delivery of cocaine/heroin.
- Shauna Nahodil, 32, of 410 N. Rock St., Shamokin, who is currently in Northumberland County Prison on unrelated offenses, is charged with three counts of possession with intent to deliver heroin/Suboxone, three counts of delivery of heroin/Suboxone and three counts of criminal use of a communication facility.
Police said the Nahodils reportedly are cousins.
- Bruce Zigarski Jr., 35, of Shamokin, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver heroin/cocaine, two counts of delivery of heroin/cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
- Stevie Cokosky, 20, of Shamokin, is charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin, delivery of heroin and criminal use of a communication facility.
- David A. Dehoutaint Jr., 35, of Kulpmont, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver cocaine, two counts of delivery of cocaine and two counts of criminal use of a communication facility.
- Michael Filarski, 30, of 619 W. Mulberry St., Shamokin, is charged with four counts of possession with intent to deliver cocaine, four counts of delivery of cocaine and four counts of criminal use of a communication facility.
- Holly Ann Rodriguez, 27, of 1010 W. Mulberry St., Coal Township, is charged with four counts of possession with intent to deliver cocaine, four counts of delivery of cocaine and three counts of criminal use of a communication facility.
- John C. Wallish Jr., 54, of 30 S. 21st St., Tharptown, is charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine, delivery of cocaine and criminal use of a communication facility.
Preliminary hearings Dec. 20
The charges relate to incidents that occurred in November and December 2010 and January 2011. All the charges were filed by Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano and Mount Carmel Sgt. Todd Owens, who are members of the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force.
The Nahodils, Zigarski, Cokosky, Filarski and Rodriguez were arraigned between 10 and 11 a.m. Tuesday by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III. Dehoutaint was arraigned at 1:15 p.m. Wallish remains at large.
The defendants are scheduled to appear for preliminary hearings Dec. 20 before Gembic.
Zigarski was taken into custody at a home in Shamokin. Cokosky was picked up at a relative's residence in Shamokin. Dehoutaint turned himself into authorities. Filarski was arrested at his residence, while Rodriguez was taken into custody at her home.
The drug cases will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General David Gorman of the Attorney General's Drug Strike Force.
Kelly praised the efforts of everyone involved in the investigation. Assisting in the probe were Shamokin, Mount Carmel, Mount Carmel Township, Ralpho Township and Coal Township police, Pennsylvania State Police, the drug task force, Rosini's office, Attorney General's office, Northumberland County Sheriff's Office and Northumberland County adult probation officers.