FBI indicts 33 alleged members in historic Kensington drug ring case

The FBI and federal prosecutors on Friday introduced a “historic” indictment towards 33 alleged members of the Weymouth Avenue Drug Trafficking Group, accused of fueling the drug market in Kensington for almost a decade.

Officers stated 24 suspects have been arrested in coordinated operations on Friday, eight have been already in custody and one stays at massive. Authorities executed 11 federal search warrants and the outcomes are nonetheless pending.

At a information convention in Philadelphia, FBI Director Kash Patel referred to as the operation a mannequin for reclaiming violent corridors from crews, praising the years of cooperation between the FBI, Philadelphia police and the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace.

“At present, much more criminals have been taken off the streets due to the diligent work of the FBI and our companions,” FBI Director Kash Patel informed Fox Information Digital in an unique assertion.

“Greater than 30 folks have been charged for his or her alleged roles in drug trafficking and dozens of different offenses. These people have been charged with distributing fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine on one in all Philadelphia’s most prolific drug blocks. They have been members of a violent drug trafficking group and used violence to carve out their turf and promote medication that infest our streets and poison neighborhood. The FBI will proceed our work to finish drug trafficking. and violence in our cities.”

EXPECTED MEMBERS OF THE SINALOA CARTEL HELD IN 23-STATE SECURITY BY DEA

FBI Director Kash Patel pronounces federal prices towards 33 folks in a Kensington drug trafficking case throughout a information convention in Philadelphia, Friday, October 24, 2025.

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“This takedown is the way you defend American cities from coast to coast,” Patel stated. “We have now completely eliminated a drug trafficking group from the streets of Philadelphia.”

U.S. Lawyer David Metcalf stated the case is within the 3100 block of Weymouth Avenue in Kensington, a productive a part of town’s open-air market. The indictment alleges a conspiracy courting from January 2016 by means of October 2025 involving fentanyl, heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine.

“It is a huge drug trafficking conspiracy spanning almost a decade, the biggest federal indictment introduced by our district this century,” Metcalf stated. “We aimed it like a precision missile on the epicenter of Kensington.”

Metcalf stated 22 suspects have been arrested in the course of the sweep, whereas eight already in native custody might be transferred to federal court docket subsequent week. Brokers recovered dozens of firearms and important quantities of narcotics from alleged stash places; The totals might be reported within the lawsuits.

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Suspects brandished firearms in a video linked to a drug trafficking case in Pennsylvania. (Ministry of Justice)

Prosecutors stated the group was allegedly run by Jose Antonio Morales Nieves, 45, of Luquillo, Puerto Rico, often known as “Flaco,” who “basically owned” the block and charged lease to different sellers; Ramon Roman-Montanez, 40, of Philadelphia, often known as “Viejo,” who managed each day operations and arranged shifts; and Nancy Rios-Valentin, 33, of Philadelphia, who additionally oversaw funds and shifts.

The crew allegedly used violence to implement its territory, together with shootings, homicide and assault, and retaliated towards witnesses who cooperated with legislation enforcement.

Throughout a question-and-answer session, officers stated no substantial homicide or capturing counts have been filed, however the investigation continues.

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Surveillance recorded crowds in a Philadelphia neighborhood recognized as an open-air drug market earlier than its dismantling was introduced Friday. (Ministry of Justice)

FBI Particular Agent in Cost Wayne Jacobs stated the operation used 9 tactical groups and concerned a whole lot of officers. A lot of the arrests occurred in Kensington, with others in Puerto Rico, Delaware and New Jersey.

“For too lengthy, the Weymouth Avenue drug ring has flooded Kensington with medication and terrorized residents with horrific acts of violence and intimidation,” Jacobs stated. “That ended right this moment.”

He stated the FBI will launch public security adverts urging residents to soundly share crime ideas.

“Our work doesn’t finish with these arrests,” Jacobs added. “We are going to keep right here, alongside the folks of Kensington.”

Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel stated the case reveals town has moved to treating out of doors markets as an organized menace to public security, slightly than remoted road commerce.

“We aren’t going to apologize for eradicating individuals who terrorize our neighborhood,” Bethel stated. “That is the mannequin we are able to proceed to make use of.”

Officers framed the case as a part of PSN Recon, an offshoot of Mission Protected Neighborhoods that brings collectively federal, state and native intelligence companies to focus on violent offenders block by block. Metcalf stated the group meets month-to-month to determine probably the most harmful actors and pursue organizational-level prosecutions slightly than one-off gun or drug circumstances.

Deputy Lawyer Normal Todd Blanche added: “Drug traffickers who poison our communities and pressure their turf over their territory will face the complete pressure of federal legislation. Along with our state and native companions, the Division of Justice will proceed to dismantle these prison networks and restore security to neighborhoods which have suffered for much too lengthy.”

Patel concluded by thanking investigators and prosecutors who constructed the case. “It takes brave prosecutors to deliver these circumstances,” he stated. “That is precisely the way you defend American lives. The blocks belong to the residents, to not the drug sellers.’

“For the criminals on the market,” Metcalf warned, “the subsequent cost can have an area along with your identify on it.”

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All defendants are presumed harmless till confirmed responsible and prices include accusations.