PHILADELPHIA, PA — Twelve individuals have been indicted on multiple narcotics and firearms charges, U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced Thursday. The defendants are alleged members of a drug trafficking organization operating in Philadelphia’s Fairhill section.
The indictment claims that from February 2023 through June 2024, the group, led by Wilfredo Avila, distributed substantial quantities of packaged fentanyl, fentanyl pills, and cocaine in the Fairhill-Kensington area. The organization allegedly sold firearms to its drug clients as well.
Authorities arrested ten of the accused, while another awaits transfer from another state. One suspect, Ahmed Perez, remains at large.
The defendants and the charges against them:
- Wilfredo Avila, 30
- Attempt and conspiracy (1 count)
- Conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud U.S. (1 count)
- Manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess a controlled substance (25 counts)
- Unlawfully engaging in the business of firearms (1 count)
- Unlawful shipment, transfer, receipt, or possession of a firearm by a felon (16 counts)
- Trafficking in firearms (1 count)
- Chanel Diaz Oscar, 48
- Attempt and conspiracy (1 count)
- Manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess a controlled substance (9 counts)
- Zaida Diaz, 59
- Attempt and conspiracy (1 count)
- Manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess a controlled substance (3 counts)
- Marcelino Minaya Lebron, 44
- Attempt and conspiracy (1 count)
- Noel Arce, 26
- Conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud U.S. (1 count)
- Unlawfully engaging in the business of firearms (1 count)
- Unlawful shipment, transfer, receipt, or possession of a firearm by a felon (3 counts)
- Abdul Ortiz, 37
- Manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess a controlled substance (2 counts)
- Ahmed Perez, 28
- Manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess a controlled substance (1 count)
- Juan Acosta, 55
- Conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud U.S. (1 count)
- Unlawfully engaging in the business of firearms (1 count)
- Unlawful shipment, transfer, receipt, or possession of a firearm by a felon (2 counts)
- Trafficking in firearms (1 count)
- Angel Colon, 35
- Conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud U.S. (1 count)
- Unlawfully engaging in the business of firearms (1 count)
- Unlawful shipment, transfer, receipt, or possession of a firearm by a felon (1 count)
- Trafficking in firearms (1 count)
- Alexander Roman Delgado, 33
- Conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud U.S. (1 count)
- Unlawful shipment, transfer, receipt, or possession of a firearm by a felon (1 count)
- Trafficking in firearms (1 count)
- Angel Velez, 33
- Conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud U.S. (1 count)
- Unlawful shipment, transfer, receipt, or possession of a firearm by a felon (1 count)
- Jose Rodriguez, 30
- Conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud U.S. (1 count)
U.S. Attorney Romero highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “People who illegally traffic in drugs and guns help unravel families and undermine entire communities. I hope this takedown shows the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to tackling such critical public safety issues and holding the perpetrators accountable for the harm they’ve caused to our city.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge Eric J. DeGree emphasized the collaborative nature of the operation. “The ATF Philadelphia Field Division is committed to supporting the Philadelphia Police Department’s efforts to tamper the drug-fueled violence in the Kensington section of Philadelphia,” he said. “Last week’s Operation Black Diamond is a concrete example of that commitment.”
This case marks one of the first prosecutions under a new provision created by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which targets unlawful firearm trafficking. The defendants, if convicted, could face sentences ranging from five years to life imprisonment.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Philadelphia Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotics Investigation. The U.S. Marshals Service provided additional assistance.
Special Assistant United States Attorney David Osborne is prosecuting the case.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Further updates will be provided as the case progresses.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.