Three people were arrested and charged in connection with a large fentanyl-trafficking operation based in Northeast Philadelphia, according to Attorney General Dave Sunday. Sunday and law enforcement partners held a news conference on Friday, May 15, to announce the dismantling of the fentanyl op eration that led to the arrests of Johan Manuel Amante Ortiz, Argenis Joel Cruz Jerez and Domingo Cedeño Pimentel. The arrests came after law enforcement seized about $2 million worth of fentanyl, which is equal to approximately 2.5 million doses, from two homes on Wednesday, May 13. “Fentanyl continues to be an easily obtainable and highly profitable product of choice for predatory traffickers,” Sunday said. Sunday said this all began with two separate investigations in different parts of the state. Officials said during their investigation, they became aware of large quantities of fentanyl that were being moved in and around Pennsylvania, with the supplier based in Northeast Philadelphia. Law enforcement identified two homes that were part of this operation: one on Wellington Street and the other one on Montague Street. Sunday said the Wellington Street home was serving as the “main hub” of the trafficking operation, where the bagging and packaging was done. Then, it would supply the fentanyl to the Montague home. When law enforcement conducted the search warrant on Wednesday, Sunday said the packaging operation was “in full swing.” During the search warrant, officers also found more than 100 stamps, which they said are commonly used by drug traffickers to brand their products so customers know where they came from. Officials said the fentanyl was being sold not only in Philadelphia, but across the state of Pennsylvania and in New Jersey. “This shows the magnitude of this operation,” Sunday said. The suspects were charged with fentanyl drug trafficking, conspiracy and other related charges. In addition, Cruz Jerez was charged federally. The investigation remains ongoing. Lee esta historia en español aquí. ...read more read less