SCRANTON — Two area men face felony drug charges after the sale of cocaine first to a confidential informant and then to an undercover officer, according to a criminal complaint.
On June 16, officers from the Pennsylvania State Police and an undercover officer met with a confidential informant who told investigators they could purchase cocaine from a man identified as “Evan David” via Facebook messenger.
According to the complaint:
Officers used facial recognition software to identify “Evan David” as Evan David Koenitzer, 40, of 36 Honor Park Trailer Court, Moosic.
The informant told investigators they had spoken with Koenitzer, who set the cost of an ounce of cocaine at $1,400.
The two agreed to meet at the Penalty Box on Pittston Avenue, via messenger.
At about 8:15 p.m., the undercover officer and confidential informant arrived at the Penalty Box.
The informant contacted Koenitzer to inform him he arrived at the agreed upon location.
Koenitzer said he also arrived, but was waiting for another individual.
At about 8:30 p.m., officers spotted another man approaching Koenitzer’s vehicle and speaking with Koenitzer.
The man, later identified as Fardin Amiri, 26, of 508 Adams Ave., Scranton, then left Koenitzer, walked toward the Penalty Box and eventually left the area.
Investigators then observed the informant and the undercover officer enter Koenitzer’s vehicle and then re-enter the vehicle in which they arrived.
The two then travelled to an agreed-upon location where the informant provided 14.8 ounces of cocaine to investigators, which had been purchased from Koenitzer with marked bills.
On July 31, the undercover officer arranged to purchase an ounce of cocaine from Koenitzer at his residence.
When the officer arrived, Koenitzer informed him he would be travelling to the source of his cocaine supply.
The undercover officer followed Koenitzer in his vehicle and at one point, Koenitzer got into the undercover officer’s car.
Investigators observed the vehicle as it travelled to Vine Street and Kressler Court, where Amri approached the vehicle and provided cocaine to Koenitzer which he sold to the undercover officer.
The undercover officer then drove Koenitzer back to his vehicle.
Koenitzer was arrested during a traffic stop near Pine Street and Kressler Court, where he was found to be in possession of a large amount of cash, digital scale and packaging material.
Amiri was arrested at his residence, where officers found currency used during the drug purchase.
Koenitzer is charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a cellphone and multiple drug-related misdemeanors. He remains at Lackawanna County Prison lieu of $150,000 bail. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. on Aug. 14 before District Judge Christopher J. Szewczyk.
Amiri is charged with possession with intent to deliver and related counts. He remains in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $175,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Sept. 4 before District Judge Alyce Farrell.
Pennsylvania State Police Troop R and the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s office collaborated on the investigation.