A large fentanyl investigation began in 2023 and stretched across Pennsylvania, with raids in Northeast Philadelphia and another on a Greyhound bus moving from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, resulting in the seizure of almost 32 kilograms off the streets.
The Philadelphia District Attorney announced the arrest of five individuals in connection with the investigation.
What we know: During a news conference Wednesday, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and law enforcement partners announced the conclusion of a massive narcotics investigation that resulted in the removal of nearly 32 kilograms off the streets of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
The investigation began in 2023 and finished last week with the arrest of five high-level drug dealers from the Acevedo DTO.
Enrique Munoz Hernandez, 53; Victor Formin Bueno, 54; Yesenia Paulino, 35; Jose Rondon, 25; and Manuel Santos, 51, were among the people arrested.
Charges: They are all charged with possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy, corrupt organization, dealing in illegal proceeds, criminal use of a communication facility, and paraphernalia.
Each defendant is presently jailed on a $2 million bail.
The backstory: Investigators discovered considerable fentanyl distribution activity in Philadelphia and the surrounding tri-state area, which included New Jersey and sections of Pennsylvania. Authorities suspect at least six overdoses, three of which were fatal, were caused by recently manufactured Acevedo DTO products.
After serving search warrants at table homes in North and Northeast Philadelphia, law enforcement seized 31 kilos of fentanyl with an estimated street value of more than $5 million, or over 500,000 individual doses.
In December 2024, the Dangerous Drug Offenders Unit (DDOU) worked with the DEA’s Pittsburgh office to retrieve a suitcase containing 44,000 bags of fentanyl weighing about 10 kilos that was being carried from Philadelphia to Allegheny County by Greyhound bus.
What they’re saying: “I applaud the extensive and thorough investigation, conducted by the DAO’s Dangerous Drug Offenders Unit, the Philadelphia Police Department, and federal authorities, that led to this fentanyl trafficking ring bust. My office intends to prosecute these individuals with appropriate severity for their illegal activity, which has poisoned our communities and ruined an untold number of lives. We will continue to work with our law enforcement and community partners to increase enforcement and prevention, because these tools are crucial in addressing the opioid epidemic,” says DA Krasner.
FOX 29 News reached out to Judge Pat Dugan, who is challenging DA Krasner in this year’s election for District Attorney of Philadelphia, and he responded with a statement.
“The fentanyl epidemic has ravaged every section of our city for the last decade. I commend law enforcement and DA Krasner for this drug bust. However, this does not change the fact that Larry’s policy of refusing to prosecute drug possessions and drug sales over the last seven years has led to one of the largest open-air drug markets in Kensington, countless overdoses, and violent murders in the drug trade.”
