FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      

           

BUTLER TOWNSHIP POLICE SEIZE GUN, DRUGS AND CURRENCY

DURING TRAFFIC STOP

Butler Township Police seized a gun, drugs and currency as a result of a traffic stop on May 4, 2015 around 10:30 PM. Police were on patrol along E. Butler Drive near Forest Ave when they observed a BMW that had an equipment violation.

Police stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver, who was identified as Melvin Cabrera, age 22 of Hazleton. During the investigation Cabrera was found to be in possession of marijuana and was taken into custody.

A back seat passenger, Adonys Javier Alvarez, age 20, of E. Diamond Ave, Hazleton, was subsequently identified and found to have concealed 280 packets of heroin in his girlfriend’s purse, which was next to him. Officers subsequently located a 9 mm pistol in the vehicle and Alvarez was in possession of $775. Alvarez was ineligible to be in possession of a firearm due to his age and because of the illegal drugs found in the vehicle.

Alvarez was wanted by the Luzerne County Sheriff’s Department for failing to appear for a previous charge.

Alvarez faces charges of possession with intent to deliver, firearms not to be carried without a license – both felonies; possession of a controlled substance and use/possession of drug paraphernalia. He was taken to the Luzerne County Prison to await an overnight arraignment.

Cabrera faces the charge of possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Alvarez faces a preliminary hearing later this month.

20150504

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Released-  5/11/2015 5:22 am

Released by: Cpl. William J. Feissner