2 arrested in heroin trafficking operation appear in court

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — Two men arrested last month in connection with a drug-trafficking operation that brought heroin from Philadelphia to Washington County appeared in court Wednesday.

Talbert Hill-El and Jose Alicea's hearings Wednesday were ultimately continued because Alecia’s attorney did not show up for court. The judge said in court that he wants both men to have their preliminary hearings at the same time.

Hill-El, 36, and Alicea, 35, both of Philadelphia, are charged with delivery and/or possession with intent to deliver heroin, criminal conspiracy to deliver heroin, possession of heroin and criminal use of a communication facility.

“These are very important arrests, as it demonstrates that we will not sit on our hands and allow heroin dealers in faraway places to profit from the misery and tragedy that they are creating in our communities,” Washington County District Attorney Eugene Vittone said in January.

Police believe Hill-El and Alicea supplied Washington County with at least 30,000 to 35,000 stamp bags of heroin in less than one year. The heroin was trafficked into the county through a man named Joseph Rasel, who was arrested in December, investigators said.

Police said that from April 2016 to December 2016, Rasel made at least 15 trips to Philadelphia in order to bring the heroin back to Washington County, selling it out of his home in North Franklin Township.

An investigation conducted by the Washington County District Attorney’s Office and Pennsylvania State Police led to the arrests of Hill-El and Alicea, whom authorities said sold heroin to a confidential informant.

“I believe it’s highly appropriate that drug dealers be tried in the communities where their illegal products have caused devastation and tragedy,” Vittone said in January.

In Washington County alone, there were at least 75 overdose deaths in 2016.

Members of the community praised law enforcement’s efforts to go after the suppliers.

“I’m glad to see someone doing something. Around here, it’s bad. It’s down the street. It’s around the block. It’s everywhere you go,” Washington resident Bob Frye said.

Cox Media Group