Federal and local authorities indicted 33 members of a violent drug trafficking organization in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood following a large-scale raid Friday. The FBI said the Weymouth Street Drug Trafficking Organization operated for nearly a decade, controlling one of the city’s most active open-air drug markets.
U.S. Attorney David Metcalf described the conspiracy as “massive,” citing large-scale distribution of fentanyl, heroin, crack cocaine, and other narcotics. FBI Director Kash Patel said the takedown “permanently removed a dangerous drug trafficking organization from the streets of Philadelphia.”
Investigators identified Jose Antonio Morales Nieves, 45, as the alleged ringleader who charged dealers “rent” to sell drugs in his territory and used violence to enforce control. Other leaders included Ramon Roman-Montanez, who oversaw daily operations, and Nancy Rios-Valentin.
The coordinated raids resulted in 29 arrests across multiple states and territories, including Delaware, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico. Dozens of firearms were recovered, and one suspect remains at large. Authorities called the operation a major step toward restoring safety in Kensington, a neighborhood long plagued by drug-related crime.
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