A 23-year-old man from Philadelphia has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison for his involvement in a substantial fentanyl and cocaine trafficking operation. This decision came from U.S. District Judge Chad F. Kenney on Tuesday, following a guilty plea by Mario Fernandez Nunez for multiple drug and firearm-related offenses.
The case, which has significant implications for public safety, was led by U.S. Attorney David Metcalf, who highlighted the serious nature of the conspiracy that operated from late 2023 into early 2024. Fernandez Nunez received a 120-month sentence after admitting to conspiring to distribute large quantities of both fentanyl and cocaine. He specifically acknowledged the delivery of fentanyl to buyers and the collection of cash as part of his role in the operation.
Fernandez Nunez also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking activities and to distributing narcotics within 1,000 feet of a protected location. The operation was coordinated by co-defendant Yercy Fernandez Salcedo, who allegedly managed drug sales through phone communications and directed Fernandez Nunez to execute the transactions.
Authorities indicated that Fernandez Nunez oversaw a stash house located on the 4700 block of Worth Street. This facility not only served as a residence for him but also as a hub for managing narcotics and financial proceeds from drug sales. In February 2024, a federal search warrant executed at the property revealed significant quantities of illegal substances: six firearms, tens of thousands of packets of fentanyl, and a kilogram of cocaine, along with various drug packaging materials and paraphernalia.
In connection with this case, Fernandez Salcedo pleaded guilty to similar charges in July and is currently awaiting sentencing. The investigation into this trafficking operation was spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), showcasing the federal commitment to tackling drug-related crimes.
The prosecution of this case has been conducted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shayna Gannone, who has underscored the dangers posed by such trafficking networks to communities across the region. The sentencing serves as a reminder of the legal consequences associated with drug trafficking and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat these criminal activities.
