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NORRISTOWN — Federal, state and local authorities joined forces to dismantle a significant drug trafficking organization in Southeastern Pennsylvania, seizing nearly 400,000 doses of fentanyl, heroin and xylazine with a street value of $3.6 million and arresting two Philadelphia men “dealing in death,” according to Montgomery County’s top law enforcement officer.
Richard Nunez, 45, of the 7200 block of Algon Avenue, and Javier Cornelio Fabian, 43, of the 3500 block of Ashville Street, were arraigned this week on multiple felony counts of corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver controlled substances, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, criminal use of a communication facility and conspiracy in connection with alleged incidents that occurred between December 2023 and January 2024.
Nunez, who was held without bail, and Fabian, whose bail was set at $2 million cash, each was remanded to the county jail to await March 11 preliminary hearings on the charges before District Court Judge Patrick O. Krouse.
“When I say these men are dealing death, that’s real. These are the substances that are killing people here in Montgomery County, across the state and across the nation,” District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said during a news conference on Friday. “They’re delivering poison that has fueled addictions. It has fueled overdoses and it has affected way too many people.”
Steele announced the arrests with Jeremiah Daley, executive director of Liberty Mid-Atlantic High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Thomas Hodnett, special agent in charge of the Philadelphia field division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Thomas Nolan, Upper Merion Township director of public safety.
The investigation began after county detectives and federal agents received information that Nunez and Fabian were trafficking significant amounts of heroin and fentanyl throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia and surrounding counties.
During an undercover operation, a county detective infiltrated the organization and on three occasions purchased fentanyl from Fabian, who the investigation revealed was working at the direction of Nunez, according to the criminal complaint. Additionally, the undercover detective purchased about 1,000 grams of xylazine, a veterinary sedative for large animals such as horses that is known on the streets at “Tranq,” and which has been associated with fatal overdoses and causing serious wounds on users, according to authorities.
The investigation also found that Nunez and Fabian were selling so-called “red heroin,” detectives said.
During the investigation that included physical and aerial surveillance, wiretaps and search warrants, detectives learned that Fabian was scheduled to sell about 8.8 pounds of uncut heroin to a buyer on Jan. 23 during a meeting at the King of Prussia Mall in Upper Merion, according to court documents.
“Quite frankly, we couldn’t let that amount of heroin get out on the streets of Montgomery County,” said Steele, alleging the 8.8 pounds of heroin could be broken down to about 134,000 doses with a street value of $1.3 million.
Detectives monitored Fabian and Nunez that day and observed Nunez transfer a black and white bag to Fabian at a location in Philadelphia. Detectives then followed Fabian as he traveled to the King of Prussia Mall area for the alleged meeting with a buyer. Detectives subsequently intercepted Fabian and seized the black and white bag, according to court papers.
Inside the bag, detectives found a shoebox that contained four kilograms of heroin, according to the arrest affidavit.
Nunez was taken into custody in Philadelphia the same day.
Following the arrests, detectives conducted searches at multiple residences in Philadelphia and Montgomery County. At one residence along Eldridge Street in Philadelphia, detectives found a basement that was set up for processing and packaging fentanyl and xylazine for distribution, Steele said.
Specifically, authorities seized 366,700 doses of heroin, fentanyl and xylazine with a street value of $3.6 million, according to Steele. Authorities also seized about $25,000 cash.
“By taking this operation down…I am certain that we have saved a lot of lives,” Steele said. “The investigation resulting in these arrests shut off a significant pipeline for illicit drugs and our communities are safer for it.”
Authorities said the investigation is continuing.
“We will take it wherever it leads us,” Steele said. “To any of the dealers out there, don’t peddle your poison here. We are enforcing the law and we as a law enforcement community are committed to working together to track down and prosecute drug dealers who are looking to profit from people’s addictions and from pain and suffering.”
Steele praised the collaboration of federal, state and local agencies that worked to dismantle the organization.
“Collaborative investigations such as this and seizures like these have removed hundreds of thousands of potentially lethal doses of fentanyl and heroin from being distributed in our communities,” Hodnett added.
Daley said drug traffickers have become more sophisticated in marketing illegal drugs by naming them, stamping baggies and adding dye-like food coloring.
“A full forensic lab analysis is being done on this ‘red heroin’ and will determine if there is something different in it in terms of other drugs or if it is simply another marketing strategy for illicit drugs,” Daley said.
Court documents indicate that Nunez previously had been deported to the Dominican Republic in 2016 and was not permitted to be in the U.S.
The investigation revealed Fabian was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on May 15, 2020 for “alien inadmissibility” and he was listed as a citizen of the Dominican Republic, according to the arrest affidavit.
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