Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced today charges against 21 individuals connected to a high-level cocaine/crack cocaine trafficking organization that operated primarily in north Philadelphia, as well as Bucks and Montgomery counties.
Among those charged are Jimme Torres, the alleged leader of the organization, and his son, Matthew Torres, who oversaw the enterprise when his father was at his home in Puerto Rico.
This week, officials from Philadelphia, Bucks, and Montgomery counties executed numerous search warrants on cellphones and at residences and vehicles, AG Sunday said. Sixteen individuals were arrested Thursday at various locations in the Philadelphia area. Bail was set between $1 million and $5 million.
Investigators seized approximately $275,000 cash in alleged proceeds from criminal activity, 12 kilograms of cocaine, 50 pounds of marijuana, and 19 firearms, some which were possessed illegally due to prior felony convictions.
“The firearms were connected — all of them, we allege, were tied to the criminal activities of this organization,” AG Sunday said in a press release.
“A high-level, drug-trafficking organization in Philadelphia was crippled this week with arrests and seizures of narcotics and illegally-possessed firearms — the roundup a culmination of a long-term, sophisticated investigation,” AG Sunday said. “This highly-profitable criminal organization operated not unlike a factory assembly line with each member having their designated roles. This illegal trade was an all-hours operation with dealers on the street every day and night.”
“We are proud to partner with the Attorney General’s Office and our local, state and federal partners to assist in uncovering and dismantling this drug trafficking organization,” Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said. “It is through these joint operations that we send a strong message to drug traffickers that they cannot peddle their poisons in our communities—killing our loved ones and neighbors for profit. All of law enforcement is committed to working together to take down criminal organizations like this one.”
In addition to Jimmie Torres and Matthew Torres charged are: Johnny Bartolomey, Tomas Montanez, Nestor Diaz, Hector Diaz, Rolando Ortiz, Angel Pizarro, Steven Andino, Ruth Andino, Jose Ramos, Iris Inostroza-Torres, Kevin Cade, Miguel Ramirez, Hector Tanon, Raphael Castro, and Joshua DeJesus.
Charged but not in custody are: Miguel Nazario, Myron Booker, Javier Rodriguez, and John Cade.
More details in the infographic below:
Photo: PA AG