3 Philadelphia men indicted on federal drug trafficking, firearms violations in Lebanon

Three Philadelphia men were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of drug trafficking and firearms violations in Lebanon, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Franklin Sael Gonzalez, 25, Ricardo Batista, 22, and Tazwell Berrios, 22, are accused of conspiring to possess and distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl and cocaine between Oct. 10, 2022 and Oct. 15, 2022, United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam said.

The indictment also alleges that Gonzalez, Batista and Berrios possessed a FN Five-seveN MK2P 5.7 x 28 mm pistol during their drug trafficking activities.

"The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is lifetime imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine," officials said in a release.

The three suspects were indicted for possession with intent to deliver controlled substances, criminal conspiracy and use of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

On Oct. 15, 2022, Pennsylvania State Police encountered a black SUV on state Route 72 in North Lebanon Township, which displayed an 'unknown temporary registration.' According to court documents, troopers saw the vehicle cross the white fog line three times and decided to pull the vehicle over.

"Once police activated lights and siren, the vehicle sped up until it attained a speed of 114 miles per hour," officials said in court documents. "'Multiple police intervention measures' were attempted. During the chase, a bag was thrown from the driver's side of the vehicle."

Gonzalez, Batista and Berrios were later identified as the occupants of the vehicle, which was seized by state police. A search of the vehicle revealed the existence of marijuana and a tin foil and plastic vials containing fentanyl.

"The bag that was seen to have been thrown from the vehicle was obtained by police," according to court documents. "Over two hundred (200) bags of Fentanyl and two hundred (200) vials of Fentanyl were located within the bag."

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Williams is prosecuting the case.

Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at [email protected] or on X at @DAMattToth.