Major Kensington Meth, Heroin Operation Busted: Attorney General

PHILADELPHIA — A major drug operation in Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood was broken up, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced father and son Curtis Coates Sr. and Curtis Coates Jr., as well as 21 others, were arrested in connection with the Kensington drug operation recently.

The Coateses and others were taken into custody on Wednesday when agents and officers from the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, Gun Violence Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Philadelphia Police Department, FBI, SEPTA Special Operations Response Team, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Department executed more than 40 search warrants on affiliated properties and vehicles.

During the searches, authorities seized 29 firearms, including three assault rifles; 2,489 grams, or 82,966 doses, of heroin/fentanyl; 47 grams of meth; and $179,000 in cash.

Authorities said the Coateses "stole city block corners from this community to rent for profit to drug dealers looking to sell poisons and spread violence," and charged dealers as much as $3,000 per block.

"Coates and his son stole public city block corners and rented them for profit to drug dealers," Shapiro said. "These are corners children wait for buses on, corners you cross to get to work. And they stole them and rented them for top dollar to bring poison and violence into these neighborhoods. Through this operation, we’ve taken back these corners stolen from this community."

The 23 individuals, including Coates Sr. and his son Coates Jr., have been charged with possession with intent to distribute, corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in illegal proceeds, and criminal use of communications facility.

Eight of those individuals received additional charges for persons not to possess a firearm.