PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Police conducted a three-day sweep through one of Philadelphia’s more notoriously drug-riddled neighborhoods following a string of recent overdose deaths.
Authorities on Tuesday announced that the East Division’s initiative in Kensington last week netted the arrest of 176 people along with the seizure of more than $225,000 worth of drugs and 21 firearms.
Chief Inspector of Narcotics Daniel MacDonald says the bust focused specifically on individuals selling the drugs that were killing inhabitants of the neighborhood. Ten percent of those arrested came from out of town.
Thirty-five people died from apparent overdoses in Kensington from Dec. 1 to Dec. 5. Police believe the spike was the result of fentanyl-laced heroin being sold on the street.
Inspector Melvin Singleton says the sweep is just the beginning of police attacking the area.
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