A Schuylkill County man allegedly kept nearly four pounds of methamphetamine and two pounds of marijuana hidden in five-gallon buckets buried beneath rocks in a wooded area, investigators say.
Cory Albert Machese, 59, of Butler Township, was arrested on Dec. 17, 2024, following a surveillance operation conducted by State Police and the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force.
According to recently filed court documents, investigators say they were conducting surveillance on Machese when they observed him leave his Butler Township home with his dog in a purple Jeep Wrangler just before 3:30 p.m. He reportedly drove to a wooded trail on the west side of Gordon Mountain Rd.
Police observing the area allege they saw Machese climb a rocky ridge about 100 yards from the road and manipulate rocks on the ground for approximately 15 minutes.
When Machese returned to his vehicle and attempted to leave, police blocked his exit. As officers approached, they allegedly observed Machese toss a plastic grocery bag over his shoulder into the back seat.
Upon being stopped and told he was the subject of a narcotics investigation, Machese allegedly told officers, “Alright you got me. There’s meth in there.”
Following his arrest, police say Machese agreed to cooperate and led officers back to the rocky ridge. Machese allegedly told police to move specific rocks, revealing a white, five-gallon bucket buried underneath. inside, officers found two vacuum-sealed pouches of suspected marijuana.
While Machese allegedly claimed that was the only stash location, officers continued to search the ridge. They discovered a second white bucket containing three vacuum-sealed packages of suspected methamphetamine, as well as an empty black and brown bucket nearby.
When confronted with the discovery of the methamphetamine bucket, Machese reportedly asked, “That seems like telling on yourself doesn’t it?”
Laboratory testing confirmed the seized contraband included nearly 4 pounds of meth and nearly 2 pounds of marijuana.
During a follow-up interview, Machese allegedly admitted that he had between five and seven customers. He also consented to a search of his residence on Nater Street, where police seized a vacuum sealer and a triple-beam scale.
Machese was arraigned and immediately waived charges against him to Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas on Jan. 22. He’s been charged with two felony counts of possession with intent to deliver and misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli set bail at $100,000 unsecured for Machese.
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