Drug Bust In Philly Lands 2 Accused Heroin Dealers Behind Bars
By Ian Bush
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Thousands of hits of heroin destined for Philadelphia drug users never made it to the streets, thanks to a bust in the Northeast that landed two men behind bars.
Authorities say it's not the size of the seizure that matters, "The roughly 250g of heroin seized..."
Or about a half-pound, "Had a street value of approximately $85,000."
While Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane admits they usually go after the bigger players, allowing smaller amounts like this to lead agents to wholesalers.
"We determined that it was more important to take it off the streets when we could, to hopefully save some lives while we had the opportunity to do so."
That's not to say this takedown is insignificant. It could mean nearly 400 people have had their heroin source cut off, maybe some of them now seek counseling or rehab.
Thirty-eight-year-old Santos Alvarez-Ruiz and 42-year-old Felipe Fontanez-Burgos have been arrested on drug charges with a preliminary hearing set for next Tuesday.
