North Wales Woman Arrested on Heroin Charges

Police have charged Anita Lynn Rocchino, 25, of the 200 block of North 10th Street in North Wales, with heroin possession and additional drug charges after police allegedly observed her conduct a hand-to-hand drug deal at East Main and Chestnut streets in Lansdale on September 9.

Rocchino is charged with the following:

• Felony Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
• Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Misdemeanor Possession With Intent to Use Drug Paraphernalia
• Misdeameanor Receipt in Commerce

Lansdale Police said officers received information that Rocchino was allegedly involved in the delivery of heroin in the local area.

On July 13, 2012, police conducted surveillance at East Main and Chestnut streets and saw a known heroin user waiting at the intersection, police said. 

The known user was making and receiving shot duration calls on their cell phone, police said.

A short time later, a white Volkswagen Jetta, driven by Rocchino, arrived, police said.

The known user entered the car and got out a few seconds later, police said.

On September 9, the same user was seen again at the same intersection, and police said Rocchino allegedly arrived in the same vehicle.

An officer observed a hand-to-hand transaction and began following Rocchino as she drove away, police said.

The officer stopped the Jetta and spoke with Rocchino, who allegedly admitted to possessing heroin, police said.

Police said 13 bags of suspected heroin were found on Rocchino and her car contained numerous hypodermic needles and a spoon, police said. 

Rocchino was arraigned before District Justice Andrea Hudak Duffy in Montgomeryville, who set bail at $20,000 unsecured. 

Rocchino was taken to  Montgomery County Prison after a probation detainer was lodged against her from Montgomery County Adult Probation, police said.

A preliminary hearing is set before District Judge Harold Borek for Sept. 20 at 10:15 a.m.

According to court records, Rocchino is headed to trial on misdemeanor theft and receiving stolen property charges stemming from a March 2012 arrest in Hatfield Township.

In 2010, Rocchino had felony criminal trespassing, theft and disorderly conduct charges withdrawn at a preliminary hearing before District Judge Harold Borek, according to court records.