Norristown, PA — A sweeping two-phase drug trafficking operation known as “Operation Clean Sweep” has led to dozens of arrests, the seizure of illegal firearms, and the dismantling of a major drug pipeline between Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs, authorities announced Monday.
Major Crackdown on Philadelphia-to-Suburb Drug Pipeline
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, alongside district attorneys from Philadelphia’s Collar Counties, revealed the results of the multi-agency operation designed to disrupt the flow of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine from Philadelphia into Montgomery, Bucks, and Delaware Counties.
“For too long, Philadelphia has been the epicenter of drug supply,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, “but we recognize that the counties surrounding Philadelphia — Montgomery, Bucks, and Delaware — are also part of the problem.”
The two-phase crackdown, which took months of coordination, involved state and local law enforcement, as well as task forces targeting overdose incidents. Officials said the operation resulted in nearly 100 arrests, 12 illegal firearms seized, and drugs with an estimated street value exceeding $360,000.
Law Enforcement Collaboration Across Counties
Authorities described Operation Clean Sweep as a regional effort to stop traffickers who buy narcotics in Philadelphia and transport them into nearby suburban communities.
“This collaborative effort makes communities safer,” said Attorney General Dave Sunday, adding that “arrests of dozens of drug traffickers and seizures of firearms and deadly poisons” have a direct impact beyond city borders.
The operation’s second phase also involved undercover surveillance, controlled buys, and the dismantling of several smaller distribution networks operating out of the suburbs. Officials emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing, with additional charges and arrests expected.
Focus on Rehabilitation Alongside Enforcement
While much of the operation centered on enforcement, authorities said they also made a concerted effort to connect addicted individuals with recovery resources rather than jail time.
The Montgomery County Overdose Response Team (MCORT) played a vital role in identifying people found in possession of small, personal-use quantities of drugs and offering them treatment options instead. Officials reported “encouraging progress” in several cases where individuals agreed to enter rehabilitation programs.
Broader Impact and National Attention
Operation Clean Sweep comes shortly after a massive FBI-led drug bust in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood, one of the most well-known open-air drug markets in the country.
That separate operation, supported by FBI Director Kash Patel, led to the arrest of over two dozen alleged members of the Weymouth Street Drug Trafficking Organization, accused of running an illegal drug market for nearly a decade.
“We have permanently removed a drug trafficking organization from the streets of Philadelphia,” Patel said during his recent visit to the city.
Authorities said the back-to-back enforcement actions signal a renewed commitment by state and federal agencies to dismantle organized drug networks operating in and around the Philadelphia metro area.
Looking Ahead
“These efforts show what’s possible when state, local, and federal agencies work together,” said Attorney General Sunday, adding that the ultimate goal is saving lives, reducing overdoses, and making Pennsylvania communities safer.
Law enforcement officials said more phases of Operation Clean Sweep may be planned, focusing on long-term investigations into regional narcotics supply chains and financial operations that support them.
What are your thoughts on Operation Clean Sweep? Do you think these large-scale drug crackdowns are the most effective way to address the ongoing opioid crisis in Pennsylvania?
Share your opinions in the comments below — your voice matters.
