An investigation by the Bucks County Detectives Drug Strike Force and the Middletown Township Police Department resulted in the arrest of a Philadelphia man who had been supplying fentanyl throughout Bucks County since May 2021.

Brian Franklin, 24, of Stanwood Street, was charged Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, with two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one count each of criminal conspiracy to commit possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities and criminal use of a communication facility.

He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Jan Vislosky and was sent to Bucks County Correctional Facility under $9 million bail.

“I commend all our law enforcement officers who continue to fight to protect our community,” First Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said. “This collaborative multi-agency law enforcement effort, led by the Bucks County Detectives Drug Strike Force, undoubtedly saved countless lives by getting this fentanyl trafficker off our streets.”

This investigation determined that Franklin was the source supplier of fentanyl pills to other drug dealers in Bucks County since May 2021. The pressed fentanyl pills were made to look identical to Percocet pills.

Since 2021, Franklin delivered more than 1,000 fentanyl pills monthly and used a mobile payment app to get paid for the drugs, the investigation found. A review of his transactions showed that he received nearly $60,000 through the mobile payment app for the delivered drugs.

During the investigation, law enforcement recovered more than 1,800 pressed fentanyl pills that were delivered by Franklin.

This case was investigated by the Bucks County Detectives Drug Strike Force and the Middletown Township Police Department, with assistance from the Bensalem Township Police Department, the Bristol Township Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, and Homeland Security.

The Bucks County Detectives Drug Strike Force is a part of the Liberty Mid-Atlantic High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, focusing on areas of drug trafficking and gun violence.

Deputy District Attorney Thomas C. Gannon is assigned to prosecute the case.

Media Contact: Manuel Gamiz Jr., 215.348.6298, mgamiz@buckscounty.org

Criminal charges are allegations subject to proof in court. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.