by Alex Lloyd Gross
June 26, 2023
Philadelphia Police held a press conference to announce the arrests of 179 people from users to dealers and others for quality of life issues in an investigation Kensington. This was a three day police action which targeted the Kensington area which has been ravaged by drugs and other crimes that have been fueled by drugs.
One day one, arrest warrants were served on those that police knew were responsible for dealing in the area. $1.4 million in drugs ranging from Marijuana to Heroin was seized and put on display. “There is no telling what this stuff is until we test it”, police said. When a drug user buys Heroin, they might want only Heroin but i9t could be cut with Fentanyl or something else, police stated.
27 guns were taken off the streets. Of those 27, two were ghost guns with no traceable serial numbers, Frank Vanore, A Deputy Commissioner said.
Day two targeted open air selling, with buyers and sellers arrested. It'[s common for cars to stop and the occupants buy an assortment of drugs in that area. Day three was dedicated to quality of life crimes like prostitution and code enforcement for minor offenses of drugs and properties that may need to be closed.
According to police, 30 of those that were arrested was offered diversionary programs as the arrest was minor. Police and the Health Department set up areas to treat some people were were arrested for any side effects they may had from the drugs.
Some of those arrested may see their cases turned over to the feds for prosecution of their case warrants it, according to US Attorney Jaqueline Romero . No names were released of those arrested, as police try to work those arrested for information.