A Lancaster-based heroin dealer who was on the lam since his April trial was captured Friday in Philadelphia.
Angel “Fly” Galarza Sr. appeared Monday in Lancaster County Court when Judge David Ashworth formally imposed the sentence he ordered in July.
Galarza, 62, will serve 8 years (and a month) to 40 years in prison.
A bench warrant had been active for his arrest since April when he no-showed for trial. He also failed to appear at his sentencing hearing.
Galarza apparently changed his appearance – including his hair color and style – and was using an alias with the last name of “Brown.”
Galarza has an extensive criminal history. He formerly lived in the 900 block of East King Street, Lancaster city, but has had ties to Philadelphia.
Assistant District Attorney Deborah Greathouse presented testimony at the April trial that Galarza had nearly 1,400 bags of heroin which were seized in separate searches.
Police also found about $35,000 in cash at Galarza’s storage unit and safety deposit box.
The Lancaster County Drug Task Force filed charges.
Also Monday, Judge Ashworth sentenced Galarza to a concurrent prison term regarding 84 bags of fentanyl-laced heroin that Galarza had near Park City Center in March 2017.
Lancaster city police Selective Enforcement Unit filed charges in that case.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright
