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Richard Nunez, 45, and Javier Cornelio Fabian, 43, were arrested on Thursday on "multiple felony charges related to operating a significant drug trafficking organization supplying Southeastern Pennsylvania with heroin, fentanyl and Xylazine," as stated in the release.
Federal agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency and Montgomery County Detectives launched an investigation into the duo after receiving a tip.
The release details the operation that followed as:
"An undercover operation was formulated, and a Montgomery County detective was able to infiltrate their drug trafficking organization and purchase significant quantities of fentanyl from Fabian, as well as purchase a kilo (1,000 grams) of uncut Xylazine (street name Tranq), which is associated with increasing fatal overdoses and causing serious chronic wounds on users."
The pair also sold “red heroin" and were scheduled to sell four kilos (8.8 pounds) of uncut heroin from their drug gang to a buyer on Jan. 23, 2024, at a meetup at the King of Prussia Mall area in Upper Merion Township on Jan. 23— which is when they were arrested.
They were seen handing off a black-and-white bag which had a red shoe box containing four kilos of heroin, according to the release.
Following their arrest "multiple search warrants were executed in Montgomery County and in three residences in Philadelphia, including a residence in the 2700 block of Eldridge Street where the basement was set up for the purpose of processing and packaging fentanyl and Xylazine for retail distribution," as stated in the release.
Authorities seized: bulk fentanyl, digital scales, a funnel/screen, face masks, a large quantity of blue wax bags, many small clear plastic bags, 366,700 doses of heroin, fentanyl, and Xylazine — with a street value of $3.6 million, approximately $25,000 in cash and multiple cellphones used in the operation.
“The investigation resulting in these arrests shut off a significant pipeline for illicit drugs, and our communities are safer for it,” Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said.
Nunez and Fabian are charged with 20 felony counts of Corrupt Organization, Conspiracy, Possession With Intent to Deliver, Dealing in the Proceeds of Unlawful Activities, and Criminal Use of a Communications Facility. Nunez was denied bail as he was deemed a flight risk and Fabian’s bail was at $99,000 by Magisterial District Judge Todd N. Barnes. On Friday morning, a bail review hearing was held in the Court of Common Pleas before Judge Steven O’Neill, who increased Fabian’s bail to $2 million cash.
The pair were remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, and their preliminary was set before Magisterial District Judge Patrick O. Krouse at 11:15 a.m. on March 11, 2024.
The case will be prosecuted by Assistant Chief of Trials Kathleen McLaughlin.
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