PHILADELPHIA — A months-long narcotics investigation in Northeast Philadelphia led to the seizure of more than $1.5 million worth of drugs, 24 firearms and equipment tied to ghost gun manufacturing, prosecutors announced Friday.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said investigators uncovered what authorities described as a large-scale drug distribution and weapons operation connected to defendants Yandra Kamberaj, 22, and Theodore Manko, 45.
Search warrants executed at properties on Tomlinson Road and Gregg Street uncovered massive quantities of narcotics, ammunition, firearms and 3D-printing equipment allegedly used to manufacture ghost gun components, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and Pennsylvania State Police.
The investigation began in January when Pennsylvania State Police Troop K vice investigators started tracking suspected narcotics trafficking activity in Northeast Philadelphia.
Authorities Seized Drugs, Guns and Ghost Gun Equipment
Investigators said undercover purchases of Ecstasy and cocaine helped establish probable cause before search warrants were executed earlier this month.
Among the items seized:
- 70 pounds of marijuana
- 20 pounds of THC gummies
- 16 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms
- 3,500 grams of rock MDMA
- 2,550 grams of ketamine
- 2,500 grams of cocaine
- 4,100 MDMA pills
- 16 ounces of promethazine
- 24 firearms
- More than 10,000 rounds of ammunition
- More than 200 magazines, including high-capacity magazines
- Two 3D printers
- Several 3D-printed handgun lower receivers
- More than $19,000 in cash
Prosecutors estimated the street value of the seized narcotics at approximately $1.5 million.
Authorities said several of the recovered firearms were capable of conversion into machine guns.
Key Points
• Philadelphia investigators seized $1.5 million in drugs, 24 firearms and ghost gun equipment
• Authorities executed search warrants at two Northeast Philadelphia properties
• Prosecutors said some seized weapons could have been converted into machine guns
Prosecutors Warned of “Catastrophic Effect”
District Attorney Krasner said the volume of weapons and narcotics posed a significant threat to Philadelphia communities heading into the summer months.
“These two individuals collected enough illegal paraphernalia to wreak havoc on the city and county of Philadelphia and likely beyond,” Krasner said in a statement.
Assistant District Attorney Stephen Girman of the Dangerous Drug Offenders Unit said investigators also found evidence of active ghost gun production using 3D printers.
“If left on the streets, these weapons could have had a catastrophic effect on residents of the city and state,” Girman said.
Authorities said the operation involved cooperation between the Pennsylvania State Police, Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program.
Defendants Face Multiple Felony Charges
Kamberaj faces numerous felony and misdemeanor charges, including possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy, criminal use of a communication facility and multiple weapons-related offenses.
Manko was also charged with possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy and additional drug and weapons offenses.
The investigation remains active, and prosecutors indicated additional developments remain possible.