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Kalif Pope and Rafael Rodriguez-Ventura became the center of an investigation in January, when authorities were tipped off to Pope allegedly selling "street level quantities of counterfeit prescription pills, suspected to be fentanyl, and cocaine" from his home in Reading, Berks County John T. Adams said.
Rodriguez-Ventura was identified as Pope’s source of the supply for the fake pills (fentanyl) and identified a home in the 1000 block Chestnut Street Reading as Rodriguez-Ventura’s residence, and “stash” location.
Two search warrants executed at Pope and Rodriguez-Ventura’s homes turned up:
- Approximately one thousand (1000) counterfeit 30mg OxyContin pills which are suspected to contain fentanyl (approximately street value $30,000.00)
- Approximately six (6) pounds of methamphetamine (potential street value $60,000.00)
- Approximately two (2) pounds of synthetic marijuana (K2) (potential street value $10,000.00)
- Seventeen (17) MDMA pills (Ecstasy) (approximate street value $340.00)
- Five (5) pounds of marijuana (potential street value $25,000.00)
- Approximately $9,200.00 in cash believed to be the proceeds from illegal drug sales
- Illegal drug related paraphernalia
- Loaded Glock .22 caliber firearm
- Approximately seventeen (17) counterfeit pills suspected to contain fentanyl (potential street value $510.00)
- Three (3) packets of “crack” cocaine
- Illegal drug related paraphernalia
Rodriguez-Ventura and Pope were charged on multiple drug and weapons offenses, and transported to the Berks County Sheriff’s Department Central Processing Center where they were awaiting arraignment by the on-duty District Judge.
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