A new year, a new batch of alleged drug dealers arrested by Tamaqua Police and members of the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force.

While the arrests were made in the new year, all of the alleged deals took place in the latter half of 2014.Despite Monday's dismal weather, members of the task force swept through Tamaqua and Coaldale beginning at 7 a.m.The weather may have actually helped with the success of the operation, which placed six of the eight suspects behind bars.The only remaining suspects at large are Zachary D. Hoffman, 23, and Derek M. Hunsicker, 26, both of Tamaqua.Monday's arraignments were held in the court of District Judge Stephen Bayer.In addition to the suspected drug dealers, a Coaldale woman was also caught up in the sweep after police said she hindered the apprehension of one of the suspects.The defendant facing the most charges is Sara T. Lucykanish, 20, of Lehighton. She faces charges stemming from multiple sales of heroin, all in Tamaqua. The incidents took place on Aug. 27, Sept. 10, Oct. 8 and Oct. 22.In all but the Sept. 9 incident, she was charged with felony counts of possession of heroin with intent to deliver, delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.In the September incident, she was charged with criminal conspiracy with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communications facility. Her co-defendant in that case is Hunsicker, who faces charges of possession with intent to deliver and possession of a controlled substance.Lucykanish was sent to the Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $25,000 straight bail after she was arrested last week.Also picked up last week was Daniel M. Fink, 31, of Parryville.Fink was charged with possession of heroin with intent to deliver, delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal use of a communication facility.He too was lodged in the county prison in lieu of $25,000 straight cash bail.A little leniencyJoel T. Vermillion, 24, of Tamaqua, was on his way to Allentown Monday morning when he received a call from a family member telling him police were looking for him.Vermillion turned around and turned himself in, which earned him a lighter bail thanks to Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine Holman, who was in court to support the efforts of law enforcement.Vermillion was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communications facility.The charges were filed in connection with alleged drug deals on Aug. 13 and Aug. 20.Vermillion told Bayer he was on his way to Allentown to enter a drug rehabilitation facility.The district attorney agreed to ask the judge for leniency due to Vermillion seeking treatment and for surrendering. Bail was set at $25,000, 10 percent for each of the two sets of charges, meaning he had the opportunity to come up with $5,000 total bail.Hindering chargeDespite the efforts of Kayla MarieLeibowitz, 26, ofCoaldale, police were able to apprehendFrancisco Aponte Jr., 24, of Tamaqua.Police said the woman hid him in her home, denying police entry to the residence.Aponte was charged with possession of heroin with intent to deliver, delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.The charges stem from a Sept. 4 incident. Bail was set at $50,000 straight.Leibowitz was charged with hindering the apprehension of a criminal. Her bail was set at $10,000 straight.Siblings chargedAnd then there were the sibling drug dealers, Elizabeth Tansley, 26, and Kevin J. Tansley, 28, both of Tamaqua.Kevin didn't have anything to say in court when he was told he was being charged with criminal attempt to possess a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.He met with a confidential informant on Nov. 12 and agreed to supply the informant with heroin. Instead, he took the cash and failed to deliver the product.His bail was set at $50,000 straight.Elizabeth Tansley told the judge she didn't understand the charges as she "doesn't sell drugs, just uses them."Charges of possession of heroin with intent to deliver, delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility were filed in two incidents from September.Her bail was also set at $50,000.All of the alleged drug deals were filmed by task force members, which included representatives of the district attorney's office and police officers from the Tamaqua and Rush Township departments. Charges were filed by Chief Weaver and Tamaqua patrolmen Anthony Stanell and Thomas Rodgers.Assistance in the roundup was also provided by a Pennsylvania State Police K-9 Unit.A warrant was issued for Hunsicker and for Hoffman, who faces charges of possession of heroin with intent to deliver, delivery of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance from a Sept. 24 incident.