Hazleton Man Pleads Guilty And Is Sentenced To 48 Months In Prison For Federal Heroin Trafficking Offense

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Hazleton man pleaded guilty today in United States District Court in Wilkes-Barre before Senior United States District Judge A. Richard Caputo, to a federal heroin trafficking charge and was then sentenced to prison.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Adam Castro, age 28, of Hazleton, admitted to the charge of possession with intent to distribute heroin and was sentenced to 48 months in prison.

The charge arose after investigators made purchases of heroin from Castro and, on January 21, 2015, obtained a search warrant for a residence located on West Elm Street in Hazleton where Castro was staying.  As a result of that search, investigators seized approximately 1,050 bags of heroin, drug packaging materials and United States currency.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Hazleton Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police.

In addition to the prison term, Senior Judge Caputo also ordered that Castro be supervised by a probation officer for three years following his release from prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.

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