Alleged Heroin Dealer Arrested After Six-Month Probe

A Lansdale man convicted in 2010 of drug dealing was arrested by Lansdale Police on Feb. 1 for allegedly selling heroin in the borough, following a six-month investigation by the Lansdale Police Street Crimes Unit.

Paul Michael Gensert, 33, of the 300 block of Acorn Street, was charged with felony possession with intent to distribute, two misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance, two misdemeanor counts of possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor receipt/purchase of a controlled substance, police said.

Gensert was arraigned before District Judge Thomas Palladino of Pottstown, who set bail at $25,000 cash, according to court documents. 

Gensert was unable to post bail and remains incarcerated at Montgomery County prison, according to court records.

Gensert was in violation of probation, and a detainer was filed against him with the Montgomery County probation department, police said.

A preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 26 before District Judge Harold Borek.

Police said an investigation began in August 2012 after Lansdale Police received information about a subject named "Paulie" who was allegedly selling heroin from his home near a bar on North Cannon Avenue.

In January 2013, further information developed, which led to the subject being identified as Gensert, police said.

Lansdale detectives made several controlled purchases allegedly from Gensert in January, police said.  

On Feb. 1 at 4 p.m., detectives served a search warrant on Gensert's home and on his Ford pickup truck, police said. Drug paraphernalia was seized during the search of his home, police said.

Gensert was under police surveillance that day, police said.

Police said Gensert was stopped on North Cannon Avenue while driving his Ford pickup.

Gensert allegedly had six glassine bags of suspected heroin in his possession, police said.

Gensert received seven years probation after pleading guilty in Montgomery County court in April 2010 to felony manufacture/possession/delivery of a controlled substance, according to court documents. 

According to court records, Gensert was charged in March 2009 by Hatfield Township Police with two felony count of manufacture/delivery/possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, two felony counts of criminal use of a cell phone, two misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and two misdemeanor counts of use/possession of drug paraphernalia.

The remaining charges were sought for prosecution by the Commonwealth in 2010.