PHILADELPHIA, PA — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced on Tuesday that a collaborative effort has led to a significant enforcement action in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhoods. As a result, multiple arrests have been made and a massive amount of drugs has been seized.
The operation, a joint venture involving the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, and Homeland Security, resulted in the seizure of five kilograms of fentanyl, as well as other narcotics, firearms, and cash.
Searches were conducted at three residences in the Kensington area, along with vehicles, on February 1. The sweep led to the arrest of six alleged traffickers, all hailing from Philadelphia. The arrested individuals are Jose Fernandez de La Cruz, 32; Jose Fernandez de La Cruz, 23; Anneury de La Cruz, 26; Jahmire Johnson, 18; Gianna Smith, 20; and Edward Murphy, 36.
The charges against them include possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy, and involvement in corrupt organizations — all felonies. Bail for each defendant has been set between $100,000 and $750,000.
“Months of investigation and collaboration with our partner agencies led to the arrests of upper-level traffickers and the removal of enough fentanyl to put millions of people at risk,” stated Attorney General Henry. “We remain committed to holding predatory dealers accountable.”
To illustrate the gravity of the seizure, the Drug Enforcement Administration states that a single kilogram of fentanyl could potentially endanger 500,000 individuals.
The items confiscated during the operation included 5,015 grams of fentanyl (both packaged and in bulk), 93 grams of crack cocaine, 81 grams of marijuana, 33 grams of methamphetamine, two firearms, and $6,889 in cash.
The Office of Attorney General Drug Strike Force Section will prosecute the cases. As these cases advance, it should be remembered that all charges are accusations. All defendants, including those named in this operation, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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