(Credit: Bucks County DA)
Attorney General Dave Sunday and law enforcement partners announced charges against numerous individuals, along with seizures this week of drugs and firearms connected to a high-level cocaine/crack cocaine trafficking organization that operated primarily in north Philadelphia.
Among those charged are Jimmie 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, the Office of Attorney General charged 21 individuals, and, along with partners from Philadelphia, Bucks, and Montgomery counties, executed numerous search warrants on cellphones and at residences and vehicles.
Sixteen individuals were arrested Thursday at various locations in the Philadelphia area. All have been arraigned — bail was set between $1 million and $5 million.
Investigators seized on Thursday 12 kilograms of cocaine and 50 pounds of marijuana, as well as 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.
Investigators also seized about $275,000 cash in alleged proceeds from criminal activity.
“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,” 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.”
“This week, thanks to the collaborative efforts of law enforcement, a criminal enterprise has been taken down. Criminal drug organizations are often sophisticated and operate with a high degree of complexity. That’s why the collaboration between our offices was so critical to this investigation," Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said. "We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Attorney General Dave Sunday and all our law enforcement partners, which include our Bucks County Detectives Drug Strike Force and Chief Deputy District Attorney Tom Gannon. Their dedication and teamwork led to the charges against numerous individuals and the significant seizure of drugs and firearms, which has dismantled a high-level cocaine and crack cocaine trafficking organization that had plagued North Philadelphia and the region.”
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said his department is proud to partner with the Attorney General’s Office and local, state and federal partners to assist in uncovering and dismantling this drug trafficking organization.
"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," Steele said.
Philadelphia Police Department Deputy Commissioner James Kelly said the arrest was a case study in how law enforcement collaboration should work.
”The takedown of the 5th and Cornwall Drug Trafficking Organization is proof that when we work together we get the job done. Our residents deserve safe neighborhoods. Today, we showed that together anything is possible when the goal is protecting and serving all our communities," Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal said.
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.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
