HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General announced charges against three men accused of operating a large-scale fentanyl trafficking organization based in Northeast Philadelphia following a multi-agency investigation that allegedly uncovered millions of dollars’ worth of narcotics.
Attorney General Dave Sunday said investigators seized more than five kilograms of fentanyl this week from homes on Wellington Street and Montague Street.
According to investigators, Johan Manuel Almonte-Ortiz, 26, Argedys Noel De La Cruz Jerez, 33, and Domingo Cedeno-Pimentel, 37, were charged with felony drug trafficking, conspiracy, and related offenses.
Authorities alleged the arrests stemmed from a collaborative investigation involving the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Philadelphia Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Liberty Mid-Atlantic High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said search warrants executed this week allegedly disrupted a fentanyl packaging operation inside a Wellington Street residence.
According to authorities, investigators allegedly recovered nearly 100,000 packets of fentanyl prepared for street distribution, along with nearly three kilograms of bulk fentanyl.
Police also alleged investigators seized more than 100 different stamps used to brand fentanyl packets for street sales.
Authorities estimated the fentanyl seized during the investigation carried an approximate street value of $2 million.
According to investigators, nearly seven kilograms of fentanyl were seized throughout the investigation, which authorities said remains ongoing.
The charges were filed by the Office of Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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