Philadelphia police last week seized more than 5 kilograms of heroin valued at almost $2 million from a row house in Mayfair.
Authorities claim that the confiscated drugs have a “street value” of $1.88 million. They arrested four men, including the suspected ringleader, Felix Fernandez, 37, of the 2900 block of McKinley St.
Members of the Narcotics Field Unit North, led by Officer Brian Myers, began surveillance of Fernandez last month and determined that he was using the McKinley Street house to stash drugs while using another house on the 1300 block of Elbridge St. as a residence.
On Oct. 9, police saw an alleged drug deal between Fernandez and another man at Hancock and Cambria streets in North Philadelphia’s Fairhill section. Shortly after the transaction, police stopped the other man and allegedly found 10 grams of heroin on him. The man was identified as Henry Diaz, 48, of the 600 block of E. Diamond St.
Police then arrested Fernandez at Front and Somerset streets. During subsequent searches of his two houses and a 2008 Infinity vehicle, authorities allegedly seized 5,701 grams of heroin, 420 grams of cocaine, a .22-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver loaded with five rounds and $15,428 cash.
Police arrested two additional men during the raids. Ramon Pedraza, 26, allegedly lived at the Elbridge Street house, while Frank Hidalgo, 36, of the 1300 block of S. Howard St., in Allentown, showed up there with a large amount of cash.
All four defendants are of Dominican heritage. Their citizenship status remains under investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Fernandez, Pedraza and Hidalgo were charged with drug possession, possession with intent to distribute, conspiracy and possessing an instrument of crime. Diaz was charged with drug possession and possession with intent to deliver.
Hidalgo is being held on $10 million bail, Fernandez on $5 million bail, Pedraza on $5 million bail and Diaz on $50,000 bail. All are scheduled for preliminary hearings on Oct. 30. ••
