NORRISTOWN, PA — A two-month multi-agency operation aimed at dismantling drug trafficking routes between Philadelphia and its surrounding counties has led to nearly 100 arrests, the seizure of a dozen firearms, and the confiscation of large quantities of fentanyl and other narcotics, authorities announced.
On Monday, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday joined Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele, Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn, and Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer to unveil the results of “Operation Clean Sweep,” a coordinated law enforcement initiative targeting the illegal flow of drugs from Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood into Montgomery, Bucks, and Delaware counties.
During September and October, investigators seized fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, PCP, oxycodone, Xanax, psilocybin mushrooms, and marijuana, with an estimated street value exceeding $365,000. Officials also recovered 12 illegal firearms believed to be connected to drug trafficking activity.
“The Operation Clean Sweep collaboration will make communities safer with arrests of dozens of drug traffickers and seizures of firearms and deadly poisons that are not contained by municipal borders,” Attorney General Sunday said. “I am proud of my staff and our partners who employed sophisticated investigative tactics to close major trafficking pipelines between Philadelphia and the surrounding counties.”
Montgomery County District Attorney Steele emphasized that the drug crisis extends beyond city limits. “Drug traffickers and addicted individuals don’t recognize geographic, county boundaries when they get fentanyl, cocaine and other illegal drugs and then transport them into the counties to sell or use,” Steele said. “All of law enforcement worked hand-in-hand to interrupt that flow and hold people accountable.”
Bucks County District Attorney Schorn called the joint operation a “game changer,” adding, “When we stand united in an endeavor like this, we are taking a stand against drug traffickers who are transporting and delivering poisonous drugs into our counties and into the hands of our loved ones.”
Delaware County District Attorney Stollsteimer praised the cooperation between agencies, describing the collaboration as “a force multiplier” for effective law enforcement.
In addition to law enforcement efforts, the Montgomery County Overdose Response Team (MCORT) participated in the initiative, helping connect individuals struggling with addiction to treatment services.
The operation involved multiple agencies, including the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Criminal Investigations Unit, Pennsylvania State Police, and police departments from Abington, Bensalem, Cheltenham, Lower Merion, Upper Darby, and other jurisdictions.
All charges filed as part of Operation Clean Sweep are allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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