December 10, 2015
In an indictment made public Thursday, the United States' Attorney's Office revealed charges against eight individuals who, law enforcement officials said, ran a heroin distribution ring in Kensington.
U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger named Jorge Balbuena, a k a “Hansel,” 29, Yan Mota Soto, 25, Luis Garcia, a k a “Twin,” a k a “Mellos,” a k a “Domi,” 35, Jose Garcia, a k a “Twin,” a k a “Mellos,” 35, Ysidro Garcia, a k a “Pisa Pie,” 67, Elvin DeJesus, 26, Pedro Angel Montes-Perez, 24, and Gary Cuevas-Reyes, 27, all living in Philadelphia, as the eight individuals charged in the heroin sales ring.
Memeger's office also noted that the eight individuals have been charged with multiple counts of distribution of heroin, and distribution of heroin within 1,000 feet of a school or playground.
According to the indictment, these individuals operated a drug ring beginning in March 2014 through October 2015 and was led by Jorge Balbuena.
Law enforcement officials said those indicted supplied wholesale amounts of heroin, cocaine, crack-cocaine, and other controlled substances to other wholesale drug distributors, as well as to street corner drug operations.
Jorge Balbuena, Jose Garcia, Elvin DeJesus, Gary Cuevas-Reyes, Pedro Montes-Perez were arrested Thursday morning, noted Memeger's office.
Montes-Perez is a U.S. citizen, but the remaining individuals are citizens of the Dominican Republic residing in Philadelphia, law enforcement officials said.
If convicted, each defendant faces lengthy prison terms, the office noted.
