12 people indicted on drug and gun charges in Kensington – NBC10 Philadelphia

Law enforcement officials, including members of the U.S. Attorney's Office, the ATF, the Philadelphia Police Department and other law enforcement agencies, announced charges against 12 people in following the takedown of a drug and weapons trafficking organization that officials say operated in Kensington, Philadelphia. neighborhood Thursday.

During the day, Jacqueline Romero, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, said police had arrested 10 of the people suspected of being involved in the criminal organization while one person was in custody and waiting. his transfer while one last individual was at large. .

However, after a months-long investigation, she said, police apprehended Wilfredo Avila, who they said ran a criminal organization in the Fairhill section of Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood.

Officials, she said, have filed at least 84 separate charges against the 12 people charged in the crime.

“Ultimately, I hope this removal underscores the United States Attorney's Office's commitment to combating the deadly dual threats of drugs and guns and holding perpetrators accountable,” he said. -she declared. “And I hope this sends a message to all the other drug and gun dealers and gun and drug traffickers out there. My message is clear: You're next.”

Romero said officials believed that, since at least February of last year, Avila was running a criminal organization that sold guns and drugs from a number of locations, but primarily from Harrowgate.

“They spread their poison in the area of ​​the 2900 block of Lawrence Street, the 3300 block of North American Street and elsewhere throughout the city,” Romero said.

During that investigation, she said, 57 guns were purchased or seized by police — including personally made guns, often called ghost guns, as well as assault rifles, firearms stolen and illegally modified weapons.

Additionally, Romero said, authorities recovered at least two kilograms of cocaine and 19,000 packages of suspected fentanyl.

Romero said authorities searched at least 14 properties throughout Kensington that law enforcement officials believe were used by this group.

Efforts underway in Kensington

Working to improve the Kensington community has been a priority for City Hall since Mayor Cherelle Parker took office.

Léelo in Spanish here.

City councilors also created a caucus aimed at improving the neighborhood.

Earlier this year, the city council passed an 11 p.m. curfew for Kensington businesses that are not allowed to open 24 hours a day.

A plan to improve the area began last month when city workers and police cleared an encampment of about 75 people living in tents along the Kensington Avenue sidewalk.

Last week, officials launched the second phase – the “enforcement phase” – of this plan, focused on strengthening law enforcement to combat violence and drug-related crimes in the community of Kensington.

This is breaking news. It will be updated as new information becomes available.