PHILADELPHIA, PA — Alex Wellman Castro Frias, a 51-year-old Dominican citizen, has been sentenced to 80 months in federal prison for his role in a Philadelphia-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed dangerous narcotics laced with fentanyl and xylazine. U.S. District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond also imposed three years of supervised release following the prison term, after which Castro Frias will face deportation to the Dominican Republic.
Castro Frias, who previously resided in Philadelphia, pleaded guilty in April 2024 to charges of conspiracy to distribute a mixture containing fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute. Prosecutors detailed how Castro Frias worked as a “bagger” for the Ortiz DTO, packaging thousands of baggies of fentanyl-laced with xylazine for distribution in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
The case revealed the troubling impact of the drugs handled by the defendant. During an FBI search of a DTO-operated house, agents uncovered over six kilograms of fentanyl on a bagging table, showcasing the scale of operations. Xylazine, an animal tranquilizer mixed with fentanyl, is particularly devastating, causing severe physical harm to users, including infections and gaping wounds that can lead to amputations.
“As a member of this DTO, Castro Frias played an active role in funneling fentanyl cut with xylazine onto the streets of Philadelphia and beyond,” stated U.S. Attorney David Metcalf. “This highly addictive and destructive combination of drugs does horrific physical damage to users, causing gaping wounds that have led to amputations and deaths. My office is committed to bringing to justice the people and organizations fueling the city’s drug epidemic and all the ills that come with it. After serving his sentence, Castro Frias, who’s here illegally, will promptly be deported to his home country.”
The case was investigated by the FBI under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Grenell prosecuting. This sentencing marks another step in federal efforts to combat the opioid crisis plaguing Philadelphia and other communities.
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