HAZLETON, PA — Two brothers were arrested on drug charges following separate traffic stops on April 20, 2026.
Esmarlin Diaz was taken into custody by Hazleton Police Department Patrol Officers and Narcotics Unit Detectives at approximately 2:58 p.m. during a traffic stop near the intersection of West Hemlock Street and North Lee Court.
Diaz was arrested on a felony warrant issued after detectives conducted several controlled purchases of cocaine from him as part of a five-month investigation.
Jhoander Diaz was a passenger in the same vehicle during the first traffic stop.
Within one hour, Jhoander Diaz was taken into custody during a second traffic stop by Hazleton Police Department Patrol Officers and West Hazleton Police Department Officers.
Jhoander Diaz was found to be in possession of a plastic bag containing suspected cocaine, along with processing and packaging materials, after departing a residence tied to the ongoing investigation.
He was also found to be on probation out of Luzerne County, restricted to house arrest for previous drug offenses.
Immediately after the first traffic stop, Jhoander Diaz traveled to a residence on North Cedar Street.
Detectives conducted surveillance of that residence and observed Jhoander Diaz leave the residence carrying a plastic bag containing a box.
He entered an awaiting Uber and departed the area.
Detectives coordinated with Hazleton Police Department Patrol Officers who initiated a traffic stop for an equipment violation.
During the traffic stop, West Hazleton Police Department Officers arrived to assist.
When officers attempted to talk with Jhoander Diaz, he fled on foot and tried to discard the plastic bag and its contents into a storm drain alongside the roadway.
Jhoander Diaz was taken into custody after a brief struggle and the plastic bag and its contents were recovered.
Detectives applied for a search warrant for the plastic bag which was approved by the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office and signed by a magistrate.
Within the plastic bag, a cardboard box containing a clear plastic bag of approximately 81 grams of cocaine, two digital scales and an open box of plastic baggies used in the packaging of cocaine were found.
Detectives then applied for a search warrant for the residence on North Cedar Street, which was approved by the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office and signed by a magistrate.
Detectives located documentation for both Esmarlin Diaz and Jhoander Diaz within the residence, along with other packaging materials.
Esmarlin Diaz was processed and arraigned on three felony counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.
His bail was set at $25,000.
Unable to post bail, he was lodged at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.
Jhoander Diaz was processed on one felony count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest and one misdemeanor count of evading arrest or detention on foot.
He was transported to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for overnight arraignment.
Jhoander Diaz’s bail was set at $100,000.
