Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Investigative Division Captain James S. Cuttitta announced today the dismantling of a gun and drug trafficking organization that illegally bought and sold 19 firearms in addition to selling multiple illegal substances including methamphetamine.

Arrested were six Philadelphians Scott Grondin, 42, Bella Kenna, 21; Anthony Figueroa-Marko, 34; Emanuel Torres, 32; Asad Sayed, 27; and Felicia McKinnell, 28; and Norristown resident Christopher McNelly, 26.

According to officials, the center of the group’s operations was in the 2300 block of North 9th Street in Philadelphia, where Grondin, Kenna and Figueroa-Marko lived.

The arrests came after a multi-agency investigation led by the Montgomery County Detective Bureau and the Pennsylvania State Police.

An investigation began in December 2023 at the Oaks Gun Show, where members of the group purchased multiple firearms and exhibited suspicious behavior. Officials subsequently found that members of this group had illegally purchased/transferred 19 firearms between January 19, 2023 and February 26, 2024.

Officials said the firearms were purchased in Philadelphia, Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties by Figueroa-Marko (8 firearms), Sayad (5 firearms), Kenna (4 firearms) and McNelly (2 firearms). The investigation also found that the gun trafficking organization was obliterating serial numbers from the firearms.

The Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General’s Gun Violence Task Force; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were involved in the investigation as well.

Investigative techniques used in the investigation included physical and fixed surveillance, review of firearms forms used in the purchase of firearms, controlled drug buys, captured text messages and firearms photos, and other methods, officials said.

The firearms were purchased on behalf of Grondin, who was not allowed to legally purchase or possess a firearm. Grondin, Kenna and others then sold the firearms to other individuals who were not able to legally purchase their own firearm.

Investigators also uncovered a separate drug trafficking investigation underway that originated in May 2023. The investigation found that Grondin, Kenna and others were involved in the sale and distribution of numerous types of illegal drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, prescription pills and marijuana in Montgomery County and surrounding counties.

In June 2023, Montgomery County detectives executed several controlled buys of significant quantities of methamphetamine from Kenna and Grondin using recorded buy money.

The charges for each defendant vary but include Corrupt Organizations, Conspiracy, Making Materially False Statements, other firearms charges, Possession With Intent to Deliver and other charges. Grondin, as the leader of the organization, is facing 216 charges, mostly felonies. (See facesheets for specific charges for each defendant.)

On April 25, Kenna, Sayed and McNelly were arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Jodi Griffiths, who set bail at $150,000 cash, Sayed $99,000 cash and McNelly $50,000 cash. On April 26, at a bail review hearing before Court of Common Pleas Judge Steven T. O’Neill, Kenna’s and Sayed’s bail remained unchanged. McNelly’s was reduced to $25,000, 10 percent and he was released after posting bail.

On April 26, Grondin, Figueroa-Marko and Torres were arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Edward V. Levine, who set bail for Grondin at $2 million cash, Figueroa-Marko at $250,000 cash and Torres at $99,000 cash. On April 29, at a bail review hearing before Court of Common Pleas Judge Thomas DelRicci, bail for Grondin and Figueroa-Marko was reduced to $99,000 cash and Torres remained the same.

On May 1, McKinnell was arrested and arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Dara Nasatir, who set bail at $75,000. On May 2, at a bail review hearing before Judge O’Neill, McKinnell’s bail was increased to $99,000.

A preliminary hearing for Grondin, Kenna, Sayed, Figueroa-Marko and Torres is scheduled for noon, May 7, before Magisterial District Judge Cathleen Kelly Rebar. McKinnell’s preliminary hearing is schedule for 10 a.m., May 14, before Judge Rebar; and McNelly’s preliminary hearing has been continued by the defense and is in the process of being rescheduled.

Photo: Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office