June 20, 2016
Two Philadelphia men were charged Monday in connection with an alleged drug trafficking operation, Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced.
Santos Javier Alvarez-Ruiz, 38, of Mayfair, and Felipe Fontanez-Burgos, 42, of Castor, were both arrested on June 10.
The Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation set up surveillance at Alvarez-Ruiz's residence, located on the 3000 block of Brighton Street, based on information that a drug transaction would take place.
Fontanez-Burgos was observed arriving at the residence and leaving with a black trash bag.
Officers stopped Fontanez-Burgos' vehicle a short time later near the intersection of Summerdale Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard. Fontanez-Burgos had heroin packaging materials and thousands of blue paper packets in his vehicle.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for Alvarez-Ruiz's residence. During the search, authorities seized roughly 250 grams of heroin, which has an approximate street value of $85,000. New and unused clear plastic packets, a scale, grinders and a strainer were also seized.
"While our office likes to concentrate on wholesale purveyors of illegal drugs, and continues to do so, these incredibly dangerous drugs also must be combated at the street level," said Attorney General Kane.
Alvarez-Ruiz and Fontanez-Burgos were both charged with manufacturing, delivery or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility, criminal conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
An investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.
