Philadelphia narcotics officers arrested five people and allegedly seized more than $175,000 worth of heroin in a raid on a Burholme house on Nov. 6.
Drug traffickers used the residence at 407 St. Vincent St. to repackage bulk quantities of heroin into smaller amounts for resale on the streets of Kensington and South Philadelphia, police said. The operation allegedly was part of a drug distribution network with ties to the Dominican Republic.
Officers Charles Myers and Brian Myers, along with other members of the Narcotics Field Unit North, received information about the alleged packaging house and launched an investigation. On Nov. 6, they stopped Ana Baez, 39, after she exited the house. The officers allegedly found 100 grams of bulk heroin in her possession.
Police obtained a search warrant for the property, raided it at about 8 p.m. and arrested four men who allegedly were packaging heroin in the basement. The officers confiscated 6,265 packets (about 288 grams) of heroin with various labels stamped on them, along with 243 grams of bulk heroin, grinders, scales, packaging materials and $4,396 in cash.
The suspects included Apolinar Regaldo, 44, of the 4500 block of N. Reese St.; Emanuel Rondo, 23, of the 3300 block of E St.; Oliver Almonte, 20, of the 3200 block of N. Reese St.; and Jose Rivera, 29, of the 100 block of W. Dauphin St.
Baez resided at the St. Vincent Street house, police said.
Federal authorities are investigating the legal residency status of all five suspects. All have been charged with drug possession, possessing drugs with intent to deliver, possessing drug paraphernalia and conspiracy. ••
