34-year-old Suleyka Santiago lives with her children in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Her boyfriend, who was implicated in a drug trafficking operation, was incarcerated in October.
In June, a confidential informant (CI) let the Montgomery County Detectives Narcotics Enforcement Team know that they suspected Santiago had stepped in for her boyfriend in the drug trafficking ring.
Detectives set up an operation with the CI where they would contact Santiago and arrange to meet for a narcotics purchase.
The CI contacted Santiago and established a time and location to fulfill his request to purchase 30mg Oxycodone pills.
According to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, the authorities used surveillance to view the alleged transaction as it took place.
They reportedly saw Santiago drive up with two young girls, identified as her 12 and 14-year-old daughters, and the CI got into her vehicle. The children allegedly traded the CI the pills for cash and the CI got out of the car.
The authorities had the CI set up another transaction identical to the first.
Santiago allegedly arrived at the designated meeting location, and the CI reportedly climbed into the same vehicle used in the first meeting. The woman allegedly fulfilled the CI’s drug order.
The authorities inspected the pills, and they suspected they were not Oxycodone. It was noted that her boyfriend was being accused of distributing pills alleged to be Oxycodone but reportedly tested positive as fentanyl. The pills allegedly sold by Santiago were sent for testing.
On June 30, Santiago was taken into custody and initially incarcerated on $100,000 cash bail.
It is expected that she will face many charges, including possession with intent to deliver, soliciting minors to traffic drugs, endangering the welfare of children, and criminal use of a communications facility.
The day after her arrest, Santiago’s bail was reduced to $10,000, but she was then released on her own recognizance.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.