Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane's office has charged seven people with distributing significant quantities of crystal methamphetamine in Carbon and Lehigh counties.

Suspects were arraigned at the office of District Judge Ed Lewis this morning.

Police said one suspect was found in possession of more than 4 pounds of methamphetamine.

"After months of investigative work, we identified a major drug dealer and six other dealers," Attorney General Kane said. "Dope pushers need to know we are watching and listening with handcuffs and jail cells ready."

According to criminal complaints filed in support of the charges, investigators identified Edilberto Ortiz Jr., of Allentown, as a main distributor who supplied six people with methamphetamine. Those people later redistributed the drugs to their customers

Officials said the activity occurred between January and March of this year.

Investigators utilized confidential informants and observed controlled purchases of methamphetamine over the course of the investigation.

More than 4 pounds of methamphetamine were seized from a residence where Oritz was staying, investigators reported in a criminal complaint.

That search also resulted in the seizure of a .32 caliber handgun, roughly $2,400 in cash and drug paraphernalia.

Searches of other residences resulted in the seizure of various quantities of methamphetamine, cash, digital scales and drug paraphernalia.

Charged were:

Edilberto Ortiz Jr., 45, 1236 W. Tilghman St., Allentown, is charged with five counts of delivery or possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, two counts each of corrupt organizations and possession of a controlled substance and one count each of criminal conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.

Holly Ann Eckhart, 50, 495 Hahns Dairy Road, Palmerton, is charged with two counts each of delivery or possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, corrupt organizations and possession of a controlled substance, as well as one count each of criminal conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.

Richard E. Moyer, 57, 1541 Fritz Valley Road, Lehighton, is charged with two counts each of delivery or possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, corrupt organizations and possession of a controlled substance, as well as one count each of criminal conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.

Robert David Rex, 58, 3 W. Water St., Lansford, is charged with two counts each of delivery or possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, corrupt organizations and possession of a controlled substance, as well as one count each of criminal conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and criminal use of a communication facility.

Susan Annette Rex, 57, 234 West Columbus Ave., Nesquehoning, is charged with two counts each of delivery or possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, corrupt organizations and possession of a controlled substance, as well as one count each of criminal conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and criminal use of a communication facility.

Connie Serfass, 60, 1541 Fritz Valley Road, Lehighton, is charged with two counts each of delivery or possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, corrupt organizations and possession of a controlled substance, as well as one count each of criminal conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and criminal use of a communication facility.

Donna Marie Ziegenfuss, 54, 45 Berger Hill Road, Palmerton, is charged with two counts each of delivery or possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, corrupt organizations and possession of a controlled substance, as well as one count each of criminal conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and criminal use of a communication facility.

The arrests today are the result of an investigation conducted by the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, the Carbon County Drug Task Force and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Defendants will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Christie Bonesch of the Office of Attorney General's Drug Strike Force Section.