A three-day operation involving various local and federal law enforcement agencies last week in the Philadelphia neighborhood of Kensington billed as the epicenter of the opioid crisis.
Authorities generated 175 arrests, most related to narcotics, but others, a total of 10, related to criminal investigations involving weapons.
“What is happening in Kensington is unacceptable. Too many lives taken by drugs and weapons. To have successful neighborhoods we have to reach out to those most affected. We are exploring all options to eradicate crime, especially in that area, and this was an initiative that helped public safety,” said Mayor Jim Kenney.
This is what we know about the operation:
- $1.4 million in narcotics was recovered.
- 175 arrests were generated.
- $100,000 in cash was recovered.
- 27 weapons were recovered, two of them cataloged as phantoms, and almost all of them semi-automatic.
From the arrests we know that:
- 86 were for possession and attempted distribution of narcotics.
- 12 for possession and attempted distribution of narcotics with weapons.
- 24 for solicitation and prostitution.
- 10 arrest warrants related to violent crimes.
- 40 arrests for possession.
- 46 citations for code violation.
Of narcotics we know that:
- 60 pounds of marijuana was recovered.
- 850 grams of fentanyl were recovered.
- 1,200 grams of heroin laced with fentanyl was recovered.
Other drugs were also seized, but until the shipment is analyzed there is no description of what they contain. Processing of the seized could take weeks.
“We are in the process of dismantling large criminal organizations for the betterment of our communities,” said Commissioner Danielle Outlaw. “The work of our officers and the other agencies involved demonstrates that working together is effective.”
The head of investigations, Frank Vanore listed the days noting that:
- Day One – Arrest warrants are issued and executed with the help of sheriffs and other agencies. They also confirmed intelligence work.
- Second day – they worked outdoors in what is known as “open drug markets” using SEPTA activations on their station platforms and using the wound unit to care for drug users.
- Third day – 50 uniformed officers are deployed on bicycles to maintain contact with the community and offer diversion programs.
