December 20, 2016
A three-day drug investigation led to more than 170 arrests and netted more than $250,000 in narcotics in an area of Philadelphia hit hard recently by overdose deaths, authorities announced Tuesday.
The Philadelphia Police Department conducted the operation from Dec. 14-16 in the city's East Division, which includes Kensington, Juniata, Port Richmond and parts of North Philly.
Police said that the initiative targeted the sources of the drug problem. An investigation had been underway into a "bad batch" of opioids circulating in the city. Over the last two months, at least 50 people have died due to heroin overdoses, mostly in Kensington and North Philly.
In total, 176 people were arrested and $226,646 worth of drugs, $45,425 in cash, 21 firearms and 14 vehicles all were seized in the sting. Of the 176 arrests, six were juveniles and 36 were known violent offenders.
According to police, the following narcotics were confiscated:
• 1282.8 grams of cocaine (with an estimated street value of $128,280)
• 161.91 grams of heroin ($53,969)
• 1717.5 grams of marijuana ($17,175)
• 159 milligrams of Oxycontin ($12,720)
• 93.6 grams of crack ($9,360)
Authorities also uncovered 45 Xanax tablets, 48 Percocet pills and 20 other assorted pills.
Each day of the operation focused on a different aspect of the drug epidemic. Serving warrants for known drug offenders was the focus of the first day, a crackdown on active drug deals was conducted on the second day and an increased police patrol to deter crime was initiated on the operation's final day.
The PPD said multiple units supported the raids, including the Narcotic Strike Force and Narcotics Enforcement Teams. Federal and state law enforcements were also involved during the warrant-service phase.
