The Chester County District Attorney’s Office and Chester County Detectives announce the arrest of five individuals in connection with their involvement in the Bad Bunny Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO). David Arroyo, 27, Miguel Jorge-Ortiz, 35, Neil Perez, 29, and Jose Guzman, 49, all of Philadelphia, were arrested on September 13, 2024 and charged with corrupt organizations, conspiracy and possession with intent to deliver . Curtis Lake, 50, of Philadelphia was arrested at a later date and charged with drug delivery resulting in death, corrupt organization and other related charges. Preliminary hearings will be held before Magisterial District Judge James Kovaleski in November.

Chester County District Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe said, “Drug trafficking does not stop at the border in Chester County. Our detectives are committed to working with all of our local, state and federal partners to investigate the drug suppliers who are bringing deadly drugs into our community.”

Criminal complaints filed by Chester County detectives detail that on September 13, 2024, members of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) detective unit, the Philadelphia Police Department and other law enforcement agencies executed twelve warrants for search at nine different. locations and on three vehicles after a year-long investigation into fentanyl trafficking in both Philadelphia and Chester counties. Following the search warrants, police seized approximately 1.5 kilograms of bulk fentanyl, 2 kilograms of bulk cocaine, $25,000 in cash, 2 assault rifles, 3 handguns and over 1,500 baggies of packaged fentanyl. Police also uncovered a large-scale fentanyl packaging operation.

The investigation began after heroin/fentanyl with the “Bad Bunny” stamp was found at the scene of a fentanyl overdose death in Phoenixville Borough last year. The investigation involved a number of drug traffickers who have since been arrested, including defendant Mousa Hawa and Herman “Pluck” McMullen. With the combined efforts of the Chester County HIDTA Detective Unit and the Philadelphia Police Department’s Narcotics Field Unit, investigators were able to fully investigate the DTO’s operations and seized more than $250,000 worth of drugs, weapons and property .

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel said, “The collaboration and support of the Chester County District Attorney’s Office and HIDTA partners in dismantling the ‘Bad Bunny DTO’ is significant as it has helped improve a major drug area within the Police Division from the East. This support is in line with the overall strategy of the Philadelphia Police Department’s mission to improve the quality of life for the residents of the Eastern Police Division.”

District Attorney de Barrena-Sarobe also said, “I am grateful to all of our HIDTA partners, especially the Philadelphia Police Department. Overdose deaths are finally starting to go down, in part because law enforcement in Philadelphia supports these types of investigations.”

The Chester County HIDTA Detective Unit is the lead investigating agency and was assisted by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Dangerous Drug Offender Unit and the Philadelphia Police Department’s Eastern Narcotics Field Unit. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Phoenixville Borough Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Caln Township Police Department, Parkesburg Police Department, West Chester and Southern Chester County Regional Police Departments all assisted in the investigation. Assistant District Attorney Jessica Acito is the assigned prosecutor and attorneys from the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office also provided assistance.