Five arrested in connection with drug trafficking network – Daily Local

The Chester County District Attorney’s Office and Chester County Detectives announce the arrest of five individuals in connection with their participation in the Bad Bunny Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO). David Arroyo, 27, Miguel Jorge-Ortiz, 35, Neil Perez, 29, and Jose Guzman, 49, all of Philadelphia, were arrested on September 13, 2024 and charged with corrupt organizations, conspiracy and possession with intent to deliver. Curtis Lake, 50, of Philadelphia was arrested at a later date and charged with drug delivery resulting in death, corrupt organizations and other related charges. Preliminary hearings will be held in November before Magisterial District Judge James Kovaleski.

Chester County District Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe said, “Drug trafficking does not stop at the Chester County border. Our investigators are eager to work with all of our local, state and federal partners to investigate drug suppliers who are bringing deadly drugs into our community.”

The criminal complaints filed by Chester County detectives detail that members of the Chester County Detectives High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Unit, the Philadelphia Police Department and other law enforcement agencies executed twelve search warrants at nine different locations on September 13, 2024 and all but three vehicles in a year-long investigation into fentanyl trafficking within Philadelphia and Chester counties. As a result of the search warrants, police seized approximately 1.5 kilos of bulk fentanyl, 2 kilos of bulk cocaine, $25,000 in cash, 2 assault rifles, 3 handguns, and more than 1,500 bags of packaged fentanyl. Police also discovered a large-scale fentanyl packaging operation.

The investigation began after heroin/fentanyl stamped “Bad Bunny” was found at the scene of a fentanyl overdose death in Phoenixville Borough last year. The investigation involved a number of drug dealers who have since been arrested, including defendant Mousa Hawa and Herman “Pluck” McMullen. The joint efforts of the Chester County Detectives HIDTA Unit and the Philadelphia Police Department Narcotics Field Unit East allowed investigators to fully investigate the DTO’s activities and seize more than $250,000 worth of drugs, weapons and assets.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel stated, “The cooperation and support of the Chester County District Attorney’s Office and HIDTA partners in dismantling the ‘Bad Bunny DTO’ is significant as it has helped improve a major drug area in the East Police Division. This support is consistent with the overall strategy of the Philadelphia Police Department’s mission to improve the quality of life for residents of the East Police Division.”

District Attorney de Barrena-Sarobe also said, “I am grateful to all of our HIDTA partners, especially the Philadelphia Police Department. Overdose deaths are finally starting to decline, in part because Philadelphia police support these types of investigations.”

The Chester County Detectives HIDTA Unit is the lead investigative agency and was assisted by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Dangerous Drug Offender Unit and the Philadelphia Police Department Narcotics Field Unit East. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), the Phoenixville Borough Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, Caln Township Police Department, Parkesburg Borough Police Department, West Chester Borough Police Department, and Southern De Chester County Regional Police all assisted in the investigation. Assistant District Attorney Jessica Acito is the assigned prosecutor, and attorneys from the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office also provided assistance.