10,000-Plus Bags Of Fentanyl Seized In Major Delco Drug Bust

MARPLE, PA — Marple Township along with other county and state authorities conducted an 16-month investigation that led to nearly 11,000 bags of fentanyl being seized.

The major bust was announced by Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer recently.

Stollsteimer said Asim Semile Robinson, 27; Christopher Peter Newby, 32; and Craig Tevan Russell, 30, all of Philadelphia were charged as part of the investigation.

A fourth person alleged to have been involved - Michael Dougherty, of Delaware County - died of a fentanyl-horse tranquilizer overdose in October 2022 during the investigation, Stollsteimer said.

In total, authorities seized more than 10,475 individually wrapped bags of fentanyl and 11 guns.

Authorities also took drug manufacturing paraphernalia.

Stollsteimer said that much fentanyl would be worth more than $100,000 on the street.

"We have taken out a major and prolific dangerous drug organization that was sending poison drugs here into Delaware County," Stollsteimer said announcing the bust.

The investigation began in August 2021.

Russell was arrested in December 2021.

Authorities said Russell was a major drug dealer in Philadelphia and that his supplier was Dougherty, according to Stollsteimer.

Authorities later learned that Dougherty was being supplied by Newby, Stollstimer said.

Newby was taken into custody in June 2022 after a series of undercover operations, according to Stollsteimer.

Authorities said Newby used the same cell phone that Russell used for drug transactions until Newby was taken into custody.

According to Stollsteimer, that same phone ended up with Robinson.

Robinson is accused of selling the fatal drug dose to Dougherty.

He is charged with death by drug delivery in addition to other crimes.

Stollsteimer said the four-man operation spread "tons and tons of fentanyl and other drugs throughout this region."

Marple Township Police Chief Brandon Graeff said while the drug activity is nothing new, the investigation's results are "a testament to the cooperation of the agencies involved."

"I never cease to be amazed by the intelligence, wisdom, and bravery of the people involved in these investigations," he said. "It's truly stunning for me to see, even after all these years."

Russell pleaded guilty in Philadelphia to possession of a firearm prohibited and possession with intent to deliver last year and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Newby was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as receiving stolen property and dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activities and firearms offenses.

He and Robinson also face corrupt organization and conspiracy charges.