A drug trafficking organization accused of distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl, ecstasy and cocaine across Carbon and Schuylkill counties has been dismantled following a five-month investigation by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and local law enforcement.

Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the arrests during a press conference Tuesday morning in Jim Thorpe, saying the operation is proof that drug networks can take root anywhere — even in smaller, rural communities.

Sunday said seven people were taken into custody on Oct. 23 as part of an investigation that identified Cruz “June” Rodriguez, 31, of New Philadelphia, as the alleged wholesale supplier connected to the Second Street Gang, which operates out of Allentown.

Agents identified Rodriguez as the main supplier to several area dealers, including Christopher Haslett, 58, of Lansford; Justin Heacock, 39, of Coaldale; Jose “Feliciano” Nieves, 44, of Coaldale; and Kayla Everet, 31, of Lansford. Everet allegedly acted as a runner for larger traffickers such as Haslett.

Rodriguez’s girlfriend, Elijah Marie Camacho, 28, of Tamaqua, was accused of driving him to make deliveries and collect proceeds from sales.

Sunday said Rodriguez often “fronted” the drugs — supplying them before payment — and then collected proceeds from sales later. Those within his network, Sunday added, “feared failing him or going against him,” as Rodriguez allegedly used threats and firearms to intimidate others.

During the investigation, agents executed search warrants at Rodriguez’s home in Coaldale, Camacho’s residence in New Philadelphia, Schuylkill County, and on Rodriguez’s vehicle. Local K-9 units assisted in the searches.

Investigators seized a stolen 9 mm handgun from the trunk of Rodriguez’s car, more than two pounds of methamphetamine, over eight ounces of fentanyl, 130 grams of marijuana, 76 grams of synthetic marijuana, 30 grams of cocaine and 281 MDMA pills, more commonly known as ecstasy.

Sunday said the amount of fentanyl alone represented “more than 112,000 potentially lethal doses.”

The danger of the drug, he added, cannot be overstated.

“When I was a kid, if you made a mistake, you might not feel well for a day,” Sunday said. “But in today’s world, a mistake can equal death. That’s not me being dramatic — it’s the absolute reality, and as a father, it’s something I worry about every single day.”

The investigation revealed that Rodriguez obtained large quantities of cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine from sources in Pennsylvania and New York, and he admitted to brokering large-scale trades of fentanyl for cocaine between suppliers.

Prior to the Oct. 23 operation, Rodriguez, Nieves and Feliciano had already been charged with drug possession in Schuylkill County.

Sunday said Rodriguez has previous convictions that prohibit him from possessing a firearm.

Sunday said that while Jim Thorpe “doesn’t have the issues some larger cities face,” communities like it can “sometimes lull ourselves into a false sense of security that the opioid crisis is something that only happens in cities.”

“The truth is these poisons have a significant presence in communities like Jim Thorpe and all throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” he said.

The opioid epidemic, he added, has reached every corner of the state.

“From the start of the opioid epidemic, we knew these horrific drugs infiltrated every community — families, schools and workplaces,” Sunday said. “That meant all of these places, regardless of population, were vulnerable to exploitation.”

Sunday thanked the officers who contributed to the case, calling their work “dangerous but vital.”

“This work isn’t always safe,” he said. “I want the officers who don’t get to stand up here with us to know they have my admiration, my respect and my gratitude for the sacrifices they make to take poison like this off our streets.”

Carbon County District Attorney Michael Greek credited the arrests to a strong partnership between local and state law enforcement.

“Carbon County is a small county,” he said. “We have limited resources and not a lot of police officers, but it’s a very tight-knit group that collaborates constantly. We get along, we share information, and we work together.”

Greek said he hopes the arrests send a clear message to outsiders.

“This type of arrest, from somebody who’s not necessarily from this area, should be a message to anyone from Allentown to Reading to Philadelphia — don’t come to Carbon County and deal drugs,” he said.

Sunday said the investigation remains active and that authorities are limited in what additional details they can share at this time.