PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania – Eight people, including Jorge Balbuena, a/k/a “Hansel,” 29, have been charged with conspiring to distribute heroin in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, announced Zane David Memeger United States Attorney.
The indictment charges Jorge Balbuena, Yan Mota Soto, 25, Luis Garcia, a/k/a “Twin,” a/k/a “Mellos,” a/k/a “Domi,” 35, Jose Garcia, a/k/a “Twin,” a/k/a “Mellos,” 35, Ysidro Garcia, a/k/a “Pisa Pie,” 67, Elvin DeJesus, 26, Pedro Angel Montes-Perez, 24, and Gary Cuevas-Reyes, 27, with multiple counts of distribution of heroin, and distribution of heroin within 1,000 feet of a school or playground.
The conspiracy, which existed from March 2014 to October 2015, was led by Jorge Balbuena and supplied wholesale amounts of heroin, cocaine, cocaine base (“crack”), and other controlled substances to other wholesale drug distributors, and to street corner drug operations.
According to the indictment, the eight defendants supplied wholesale amounts of heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, and other controlled substances to various individuals and groups. The investigation revealed a complex web of drug distribution networks operating in Philadelphia.
Jorge Balbuena, Jose Garcia, Elvin DeJesus, Gary Cuevas-Reyes, and Pedro Montes-Perez were arrested this morning. Montes-Perez is a U.S. citizen. The remaining defendants are citizens of the Dominican Republic residing in Philadelphia.
Each defendant faces lengthy prison terms if convicted. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Philadelphia Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David. E. Troyer and Marianne Shelvey of the United States Attorney’s Office.
Charged with are Jorge Balbuena, a/k/a “Hansel,” 29, Yan Mota Soto, 25, Luis Garcia, a/k/a “Twin,” a/k/a “Mellos,” a/k/a “Domi,” 35, Jose Garcia, a/k/a “Twin,” a/k/a “Mellos,” 35, Ysidro Garcia, a/k/a “Pisa Pie,” 67, Elvin DeJesus, 26, Pedro Angel Montes-Perez, 24, and Gary Cuevas-Reyes, 27. The indictment alleges the defendants conspired to distribute heroin in the Kensington section of Philadelphia from March 2014 to October 2015.
Defendant: Jorge Balbuena, a/k/a “Hansel,” 29 | Charged with: Conspiring to distribute heroin, distribution of heroin, distribution of heroin within 1,000 feet of a school or playground | City and State: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Date: March 2014 – October 2015 | Sentence: Lengthy prison terms if convicted |
Related Federal Cases
- Erick A. Martinez, Heroin and Fentanyl Conspiracy, Pennsylvania 2020 · Washington
- Lance Smith, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Cocaine Base, West Virginia 2020 · Virginia
- Logan Mactavish, Methamphetamine Conspiracy, Pennsylvania 2020 · Alabama
- Donald Lyles, Jr., Heroin Distribution, Pennsylvania 2020 · Texas
- Kaylor Brown, Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy, Pennsylvania 2021 · Kentucky
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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