Suspect in country illegally, held without bail

By: Edward Sieger
Posted: Jan 02, 2019 04:04 PM EST

Updated: Jan 02, 2019 04:04 PM EST

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A Reading man is being held in Lehigh County Jail without bail after authorities allegedly discovered about 2 kilograms of heroin in his SUV.

Allentown police charged Geovanny Alvarez Ramirez with single counts of possession with intent to deliver and possession of a controlled substance. Court records indicate that the 31-year-old, who lives in the 700 block of Ninth Street in Reading, is from Mexico and in the country illegally.

District Judge Michael Faulkner arraigned Alvarez Ramirez on Dec. 29 and denied bail, noting that “no combination of monetary or non-monetary conditions can ensure” he’ll appear in court, according to court records.

Allentown police said Alvarez Ramirez was the subject of an ongoing drug investigation on Dec. 28, when they watched him park his Honda Pilot in the Wendy’s parking lot about 6:15 p.m. near South Jute Street and West Emaus Avenue, according to court records.

When approached by police detectives, Alvarez Ramirez reportedly made movements around the center console of his vehicle. After he was detained and taken out of the SUV, authorities said they found a half-open secret compartment in the center console.

The compartment was below the cup holders and appeared to be electronically controlled, according to police.

Inside the hiding spot were four blocks wrapped in plastic containing about 2,000 grams or 2 kilograms of heroin.

Alvarez Ramirez’s next court date is a preliminary hearing scheduled for Jan. 7.

http://www.wfmz.com/news/lehigh-vall...roin/962000824