2 arrested on drug counts; large quantities found

Two Monroe County residents were arrested by Pocono Regional police on various drug related charges.

Police said Jesus Gomez, 51, and Brigid Betancourt, 49, both of 8166 Robinwood Drive, in A Pocono Country Place, in Tobyhanna, are charged.

Police said on Nov. 21 about 9:20 a.m. officers served a search warrant at that address. Present in the home were the two suspects and Betancourt's 13-year-old child, a 13-year-old friend of the child and her two-year-old grandson.

Police said they located significant evidence of illegal drug trafficking in cocaine, marijuana and oxycontin along with a handgun and multiple rounds of ammunition hidden within the mattress of the bed that Betancourt and Gomez shared.

Police said quantifites of cocaine were found throughout the home including one small baggie, also containing a straw, was actually found stuffed into the couch cushions in the family room where the children watched television.

The following items were found during the search:

A .22-caliber revolver and numerous rounds of ammunition; 10 baggies of marijuana in a safe packaged for street level sales along with a scale; quantities of U.S. currency in denominations also consistent with sales; empty prescription bottle for oxycontin prescribed to Gomez consistent with illegal trafficking; two packages of already bagged (about 45) street level sale quantities of cocaine hidden within purses/bags in a clothing dresser; also located with the cocaine was a ledger indicating that there should be 45 bags left and the dates when the last ones were sold the past week; also located were ledgers of names and amounts owed for the marijuana and the cocaine.

Also, several quantities of empty apple baggies used for packaging cocaine and marijuana were located in the bedroom shared by the two suspects; numerous items of jewelry (consistent with concerns and evidence obtained that Gomez was accepting payment for drugs with jewelry); several digital scales were located in numerous portions of the home with marijuana and what appeared to be cocaine residue on them; hidden inside of a large rubber made box in the garage area of the home was a locked box hidden within, which contained multiple empty apple baggies in a variety of sizes for the sale of both marijuana and cocaine along with two digital scales, a straw with a scooper containing cocaine powder used for bagging cocaine; scrapers and cards used for bagging marijuana; gallon size baggies consistent with transport of pounds of marijuana along with marijuana residue in them; a 9mm round of ammunition; a hidden compartment/concealment can; and an accusatory letter sent to Gomez and Betancourt anonymously about their drug dealing.

Police said a criminal check of Gomez revealed an extensive history with violations that prohibit his possession of firearms in Pennsylvania.

Both Gomez and Betancourt provided statements about their drug dealing throughout the area. Betancourt advised that she buys her cocaine in bulk in the Bronx, N.Y., and brings it to the Poconos usually via bus. Gomez admitted that he knew that he couldn't possess a firearm as a result of his criminal past as well as Betancourt.

Police said all the evidence collected is consistent with individuals who engage in the trafficking of controlled substances.

The two were charged with possession with intent to deliver, criminal conspiracy to deliver, persons ineligible from possessing firearms, endangering the welfare of children, possessing instruments of crime, possession of controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both were incarcerated in the county prison in Snydersville.