42 named in drug bust
Three from Birdsboro named as suspects as detectives dismantle drug ring
Three people from Birdsboro and a man from Fleetwood were among 42 people named by police as suspects after Berks County detectives dismantled a drug ring.
Kaitlyn Wicklein, 31, of 1333 Old River Road, Birdsboro; Adam Cawley, 32, of 3243 Pricetown Road, Fleetwood; Steven Coller, 34, of 241 Stonetown Road, Birdsboro and Robert Karo, 51, of 319 Fairview Chapel Road, Birdsboro were identified as suspected customers after police spent the past two years investigating the drug ring.
Berks County Detectives began the investigation, dubbed “Operation Antidote,” in January 2014. Information revealed that individuals had been distributing cocaine, heroin,
marijuana and prescription drugs throughout the county. During the investigation, undercover detectives purchased amounts of drugs that ranged in value from $40 to $1,700.
According to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office, the investigation first centered around Jose Camacho Jr. and more suspects were developed as the investigation continued. Following developments in the case, Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams applied to Superior Court for a non-consensual wire and electronic interception of cell phones. The wiretap began in April 2016 and for two months detectives listened to criminal activity, identifying 16 active members of the organization and 26 customers.
Undercover purchases were made and warrants were served at 14 different locations in Reading, Mohnton and Breinigsville, Lehigh County. As a re- sult of the warrants, police seized cutting agents, 12 vehicles, electronic equipment, 16 guns and ammunition, drug paraphernalia, more than $20,000 in cash and amounts of heroin, cocaine and marijuana with a street value of $30,000.
Wicklein, Coller and Karo were arrested and transported to the Berks County Sheriff’s Department for processing and arraignment. Cawley is still at large, according to police. All four have been chargedwith criminal use of a communication facility and possession.