Philadelphia drug and gun trafficking group dismantled, 12 people charged

PHILADELPHIA — Federal authorities announced Thursday that a dozen members of a Philadelphia drug trafficking ring have been indicted on drug and gun charges.

U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero said a drug trafficking organization led by Wilfredo Avila sold significant quantities of packaged fentanyl, fentanyl pills and cocaine in and around the Fairhill-Kensington area.

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Additionally, the group is accused of regularly offering and selling firearms of all kinds to its drug trafficking clients.

Ten people who authorities say were part of the group were arrested. Another is awaiting deportation from another state and the 12th, Ahmed Perez, remains at large, authorities said.

The group operated from February 2023 to June of this year, authorities said.

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

Below are the individuals charged in the indictment and their charges:

Wilfredo Avila, 30 years old

• Attempt and conspiracy (1 count)
• Conspiracy to commit an offense or defraud the United States (1 count)
• Manufacture, distribute, distribute, possess a controlled substance (25 counts)
• Unlawful activity in the firearms trade (1 count)
• Illegal shipment, transfer, receipt or possession of a firearm by a felon (16 counts)
• Trafficking in firearms (1 count)

Chanel Diaz Oscar, 48 years old

• Attempt and conspiracy (1 count)
• Manufacture, distribute, distribute, possess a controlled substance (9 counts)

Zaida Díaz, 59 years old

• Attempt and conspiracy (1 count)
• Manufacture, distribute, distribute, possess a controlled substance (3 counts)

Marcelino Minaya LeBron, 44 years old

• Attempt and conspiracy (1 count)

Noël Arce, 26 years old

• Conspiracy to commit an offense or defraud the United States (1 count)
• Unlawful activity in the firearms trade (1 count)
• Illegal shipment, transfer, receipt or possession of a firearm by a felon (3 counts)

Abdoul Ortiz, 37 years old

• Manufacture, distribute, distribute, possess a controlled substance (2 counts)

Ahmed Pérez, 28 years old

• Manufacture, distribute, distribute, possess a controlled substance (1 count)

Juan Acosta, 55 years old

• Conspiracy to commit an offense or defraud the United States (1 count)
• Unlawful activity in the firearms trade (1 count)
• Illegal shipment, transfer, receipt or possession of a firearm by a felon (2 counts)
• Trafficking in firearms (1 count)

Ange Colon, 35 years old

• Conspiracy to commit an offense or defraud the United States (1 count)
• Unlawful activity in the firearms trade (1 count)
• Illegal shipment, transfer, receipt or possession of a firearm by a felon (1 count)
• Trafficking in firearms (1 count)

Alexandre Romain Delgado, 33 years old

• Conspiracy to commit an offense or defraud the United States (1 count)
• Illegal shipment, transfer, receipt or possession of a firearm by a felon (1 count)
• Trafficking in firearms (1 count)

Angel Vélez, 33 years old

• Conspiracy to commit an offense or defraud the United States (1 count)
• Illegal shipment, transfer, receipt or possession of a firearm by a felon (1 count)

José Rodriguez, 30 years old

• Conspiracy to commit an offense or defraud the United States (1 count)