'Operation Black Diamond' captures 12 suspected members of drug trafficking organization operating in Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A dozen people have been indicted by a grand jury in connection with a violent drug trafficking organization that has operated in Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood for a year and a half.

Ten of those charged were arrested by Philadelphia law enforcement. One person is waiting to be transferred from another state and another person remains at large.

Police said the 12 suspected members of Avila's drug trafficking organization operated in Fairhill and Hunting Park. They were arrested by local and federal authorities last Thursday as part of “Operation Black Diamond” and have since been charged with drug and firearms charges.

Wilfredo Avila, 30, of Philadelphia, faces most of the serious charges and is accused of being the leader of the operation.

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Police say Avila sold significant quantities of packaged fentanyl, fentanyl pills and cocaine in and around the Fairhill-Kensington area. He is also accused of regularly offering and selling firearms of all kinds to drug-dealing clients and using intimidation to protect their Philadelphia turf.

Others charged are Chanel Diaz Oscar, 48, Zaida Diaz, 59, Marcelino Minaya Lebron, 44, Noel Arce, 26, Abdul Perez, 37, 28. – Ahmed Perez, 55 years old, Juan Acosta, 55 years old, Angel Colon, 35 years old, Alexander Roman Delgado, 33 years old, Angel Velez, 33 years old and José Rodriguez, 30 years old. They would all be from Philadelphia.

Ahmed Perez remains at large, officials said.

“The indictments announced today mark a significant step forward in our ongoing fight against the epidemic of drug sale, use and violence plaguing our communities, particularly in Kensington,” said Police Commissioner Philadelphia, Kevin Bethel.

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Authorities say their investigation began in February 2023, but it was last week that law enforcement hit several properties around Kensington.

The group sold drugs in the 2900 block of Lawrence Street in Fairhill and operated several hideouts, including one in the 3300 block of North American Street in Hunting Park.

“Our law enforcement teams responded to 14 locations, executed multiple arrest warrants, and arrested more than 12 suspects,” said Eric Degree, Special Agent in Charge of ATF Philadelphia.

The Safer Communities Act passed in 2022 also played a role in this regard, notably in the form of grants allowing for additional resources.

“A total of 57 firearms, including several self-made firearms – also known as PMFs – 556 and 223 caliber rifles, pistols with extended magazines, stolen firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition , as well as a machine gun conversion device — also known as a switch,” Degree said.

“The investigation resulted in the purchase or seizure of more than two kilograms of cocaine and 19,000 packages of fentanyl, representing more than 50,000 potentially lethal doses of fentanyl,” added US Attorney Jacqueline Romero of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Under the new Cherelle Parker administration, the city of Philadelphia recently emptied an encampment in Kensington and assigned at least 75 new police recruits to foot patrols in the area, in an effort to stamp out widespread drug sales.

“How do we maintain these areas? That's going to be the key to helping us move forward and fully transition this neighborhood,” said First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford of the Philadelphia Police Department.

“I also hope this sends a message to all other drug and gun traffickers. That message is…you're next,” said U.S. Attorney Romero.

RELATED: The cleanup of the encampment on Kensington Avenue is complete, but what's next?

Authorities could not say whether any of the defendants also face state charges for drug arrests or homicide, but they added that they are conducting ballistics analyzes on all weapons confiscated.

If convicted, the defendants face maximum sentences ranging from five years to life in prison.