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7 Suspected Drug Dealers With 'Links To Mexican Cartel' Sought By Berks DA

A week after "Operation Knockout" saw 29 accused drug dealers charged in Berks County, prosecutors say seven of them are still on the run. 

Roughly $1.5 million in cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other substances were seized by authorities in recent weeks as part of their effort targeting a "large-scale drug trafficking organization" based in and around Reading, officials have said. 

The organization, according to the DA's Office, was being supplied by a source who had "direct links to a Mexican cartel."

Only 18 of the suspects were in custody when authorities announced "Operation Knockout" last week, but four more have since been arrested: 

  • Rodrigo Marin-Betancourt, 54, was captured by FBI agents in Selma, Texas, and is awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania. 
  • Anthony Ridall, 33, of Bernville, surrendered to police. 
  • Jackson Baez-Colon, 37, of Reading, surrendered to police. 
  • Eliezer Ortiz, 39, of Reading, was arrested during a traffic stop in Wyomissing. 

These seven remain at large, according to Berks County officials: 

Angel Castillo-Cruz, age 36, 108 Walnut Street, Toms River, NJ

Berks County District Attorney's Office

Jose Lopez, age 47, 525 Moss Street, Reading

Berks County District Attorney's Office

Jeffrey Kanelos, age 44, 923 Buttonwood Street, Reading

Berks County District Attorney's Office

Moises Franco, age 34, 47 Crestmont Street, Reading

Berks County District Attorney's Office

Ramiro Gonzalez, age 45, 301 S. 8th Street, Reading

Berks County District Attorney's Office

Robert Quinter, age 64, 408 Walnut Street, Reading,

Berks County District Attorney's Office

Rahim Shakir Mathies, age 41, 55 Carroll Street, Reading

Berks County District Attorney's Office

Anyone with information can call Berks County detectives at 610-478-7171. 

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