Five People Arrested with Ties to Mexican Drug Cartel

Local and federal authorities said Thursday they have shut down a direct pipeline into the city by one of the world’s most dangerous drug cartels in Mexico with the arrest of five individuals.

The arrests were the result of an intense five-month investigation, which included wiretaps, conducted by the Dangerous Drug Offender’s Unit of the District Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration in Philadelphia and El Paso, Texas, and the FBI.

Authorities arrested three people in the Northeast on Sept. 8, including the alleged distributor for the Sinaloa Cartel, which operates in Sinaloa and Juarez, Mexico. Two more people were arrested in Texas.

“These arrests have struck a serious blow to the Sinaloa Cartel’s efforts to establish a distribution center here in Philadelphia,” said District Attorney Seth Williams.

Officials would not release the names of the defendants, citing the ongoing investigation and possible retaliation against the defendants. The three men arrested here will be prosecuted by the DA’s office.