FBI TAKEDOWN: Largest bust this century’ eliminates illegal drug epicenter in Philadelphia

5

From Fox News: The FBI and federal prosecutors on Friday announced a “historic” indictment charging 33 alleged members of the Weymouth Street Drug Trafficking Organization accused of fueling Kensington’s open-air drug market for nearly a decade.

Officials said 24 defendants were arrested in coordinated operations Friday, eight were already in custody, and one remains at large. Authorities executed 11 federal search warrants, and results are pending.

At a Philadelphia news conference, FBI Director Kash Patel called the operation a model for reclaiming violent corridors from crews, praising years of collaboration between the FBI, Philadelphia Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“This takedown is how you safeguard American cities from coast to coast,” Patel said. “We have permanently removed a drug trafficking organization off the streets of Philadelphia.”

U.S. Attorney David Metcalf announced that 22 people were arrested during the operation.

A press release on the FBI website announced:

The indictment alleges that, from about January 2016 through October 2025, the Weymouth Street Drug Trafficking Organization (“Weymouth DTO”) distributed fentanyl, heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine on the 3100 block of Weymouth Street, one of the most prolific drug blocks in the city, functioning as an open-air drug market where illegal narcotics are sold every day and at all hours. While that block is the nucleus of the group’s alleged activity, their area of operations has extended to include the corner of F Street and Clementine Street, the corner of E Street and Wishart Street, and 3000 Potter Street.

The indictment further alleges that the Weymouth DTO uses violence to enforce its territory, including shootings, murder, and physical assaults. Members of the Weymouth DTO retaliate against witnesses that the DTO believes provide information to law enforcement and commit violent acts against members of rival drug trafficking organizations.

As alleged in the indictment, the Weymouth DTO is headed by Jose Antonio Morales Nieves, aka “Flaco,” 45, of Luquillo, Puerto Rico, who authorizes other members of the Weymouth DTO to sell drugs on his block in exchange for “rent.” Morales Nieves helps protect the members of the DTO through the threat of violent acts, performed either by himself or his associates, against others who have caused the Weymouth DTO harm or attempted to sell controlled substances in the DTO’s territory.

The indictment alleges that Ramon Roman-Montanez, aka “Viejo,” 40, of Philadelphia, is a leader of the Weymouth DTO and manages the street-level operations. He is responsible for organizing the drug shift schedule, which establishes roles and shifts for who in the Weymouth DTO will be responsible for selling drugs at what times and on what days, managing proceeds, and obtaining more controlled substances.

As alleged, Nancy Rios-Valentin, 33, also of Philadelphia, is another leader of the Weymouth DTO responsible for organizing the drug shift schedule, as well as managing and maintaining drug proceeds.

Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino commented on a video from the massive bust and wrote, “The citizens of Philadelphia deserve safe and secure streets. The Kensington drug market has plagued the city for far too long. Those days are OVER. When President Trump told us to “go get em,” he wasn’t kidding. And neither were we.”

FBI Director Kash Patel announced, “Another major drug trafficking crew taken down. 30+ charged for pushing fentanyl, heroin & cocaine on one of Philly’s most violent drug blocks. These criminals used violence to poison communities, now they’ll face justice. This FBI isn’t backing down.”

WATCH the full press conference below:

READ MORE from Fox News.

Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter.)
The DML News App: www.X.com/DMLNewsApp

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS SECTION