Authorities found six 1,000- gram packages of heroin hidden in the door panel of one of the three cars they seized from the men, Small said.
The heroin would have been broken down and sold as $10 packages, he said.
"Heroin is a very big problem and it seems to be an increasing problem," Small added. "It's going to really have a substantial dent into the heroin trafficking in the city."
The investigation started when the FBI's Lehigh Valley Gang Task Force notified the FBI Gang Task Force in Philadelphia that they had information about a home-invasion robbery planned for Nov. 5 at a Crescentville apartment.
Police stopped three men that day in a vehicle on Adams Avenue near Rising Sun. Small said that the men were armed with a handgun, a machete, duct tape and gloves, and that they were prepared to commit a home robbery.
One man was charged with possession of a firearm and receiving stolen property, Small said.
"Individuals commit a lot of crimes to support drug habits," Small said. "There are a lot of shootings, aggravated assaults, and homicides."
The identities of the men arrested have not been released because police believe they might be connected to other crimes. Small said the men had prior drug arrests.
"More than likely when you have a heroin confiscation of this size it's going to be connected to the larger drug operation," Small said. "They may be involved in more than just heroin and they may have more information on other crimes."
