A 23-year-old East Greenville man is behind bars after authorities served a warrant at his home in the 400 block of Colonial Drive, East Greenville and a house in the 1400 block of E. Sixth Street, Upper Hanover Township during the early morning hours Tuesday.

        Law enforcement, including Upper Perk Police, PA state police SWAT, North Penn Tactical Response Team, Montgomery County Detectives and Marlborough Police, allegedly recovered more than 300 bags of heroin from the two locations.

        According to court papers filed by Upper Perk Police Officer James Lavin, Julian Bliesath was charged Oct. 29 with possession with the intent to deliver, criminal use of a communication facility, endangering the welfare of children, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

        Court documents state Upper Perk Police and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Municipal Drug Task Force began an investigation into Bliesath in early October after receiving multiple complaints that he was selling drugs. 

        Police said a school bus stop at the intersection of Colonial Drive and Valley Road in East Greenville was approximately 100 feet away from Bliesath’s home.

        On Tuesday, authorities served search and seizure warrants at the two properties Bliesath allegedly used for his drug trafficking operation around 6 a.m.  Police said Bliesath fled from his East Greenville home prior to police arrival, but was found nearby hiding in a vehicle.

        Authorities said before he ran, Bliesath tried to destroy evidence by flushing heroin packets down the toilet.  Police, who subsequently searched the home’s septic system, recovered two bundles of heroin packets.  The heroin packets seized at the home were labeled and/or stamped “SRT8.” 

        Police said other drug paraphernalia, including numerous cell phones and small plastic bags were also seized.

        Reports said Bliesath sold the heroin out the home he lived in with his girlfriend and three children, all under the age of 6. 

        A total of 312 heroin bags, many packaged in bundles of 10-14 individual bags, were recovered from the two homes, according to police.  The substances reportedly tested positive in the field for heroin.  Authorities said they also seized a “substantial” amount of electronic devices, like flat screen TVs, one of which was determined to be stolen.

        Upper Perk Police said they could not immediately release an estimated street value for the drugs.  The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office was expected to issue a press release on the arrest late Wednesday after press time.

        Upper Perk Police said they were thankful to the community residents for their involvement and cooperation with the investigation leading to the arrest.

        “The Upper Perk Police Department received several anonymous tips from the community, all of which were investigated thoroughly.  With community interaction, support and cooperation, a police department can operate effectively and efficiently, resulting in positive outcomes,” said Police Chief Michael Devlin.

        “Without involvement and watchful eyes of the community regarding this incident, the end result may have taken much longer.  Thank you to those who took the time to get involved and take a stand for a safer community and neighborhood.”

        Devlin also noted his department wanted to thank Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri-Ferman and the Montgomery County Detectives Bureau’s Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) for their ongoing assistance with drug enforcement in the Upper Perkiomen Valley.  

        Bliesath was arraigned Tuesday night by Judge Catherine Hummel-Fried of Red Hill District Court.  Bail was set at $75,000 monetary.  He was later transported to Montgomery County Prison after being unable to post bail.   

        A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 5 at 11:15 a.m. in Red Hill.