Alfonzo

Saulsbury

STROUDSBURG – The Monroe County Drug Task Force reports that two alleged drug dealers were taken off the streets, in unrelated arrests. 

On June 25th, 2012 agents of the MCDTF purchased crack cocaine from Damian Alfonzo of Rosedale New York during an undercover drug investigation.  On June 29, 2012 MCDTF members made arrangements to purchase an additional quantity of "crack" cocaine from Alfonzo.  The sale was to take place in Tobyhanna Township. 

When Alfonzo showed up to complete the drug transaction he was meet by members of the drug task force.  When approached, Detective Robert E. Burns of the Monroe County Office of the DA Detective Division observed cocaine inside Alfonzo’s mouth (a common place for drug traffickers to store controlled substances, making it easy to swallow the drugs if law enforcement discovers it).  MCDTF members were able to recover three (3) bags of cocaine from Alfonzo’s mouth.  Though he would not admit it to police, Alfonzo displayed symptoms of having swallowed cocaine as well.  Alfonzo was transported to Pocono Medical Center where he was treated by medical personnel prior to being taken to the Monroe County Correctional Facility.

Alfonzo was also in possession of two cell phones, including one with the same phone number as was used to arrange the drug transactions., A large amount of cash in small denominations known as "street money" was also seized from the suspect.

Alfonzo has a lengthy criminal history with numerous arrests for drug trafficking in both New York and Pennsylvania dating back to at least 1998.

Alfonso is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of instruments of a crime and criminal use of a communication facility.  He is currently incarcerated at the Monroe County Correctional Facility awaiting a preliminary hearing.   

Officers from the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department assisted the Monroe County Office of the District Attorney in the arrest of ALFONZO.

The other arrest followed a two week investigation.  The MCDTF executed a search warrant at the home of Sam Saulsbury of Cresco. Saulsbury was taken into custody on charges of Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance.

During the joint investigation between the Barrett Township Police Department and the Monroe County Office of the District Attorney Detective Division, the police were able to purchase cocaine from Saulsbury at his Cresco home on several occasions.  On Thursday, June 28th 2012, a search warrant for Saulsbury’s home and car were executed.  During the search cocaine packaged for redistribution, a large amount of cash in small denominations, packaging material and a cellular phone were seized.

Saulsbury was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.  He is currently free on bail awaiting his preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday, July 5th.