The second leader of this notorious Philadelphia drug crew just got shocking news in federal court
A Philadelphia drug kingpin just learned his fate in a stunning courtroom moment.
The notorious “10th and O Crew” has terrorized South Philadelphia for years.
And the second leader of this infamous Philadelphia drug crew just got shocking news in federal court.
Philly “10th and O Crew” boss gets hammered by federal judge
Frank Procopio, the 54-year-old co-leader of one of Philadelphia’s most notorious drug operations, was sentenced to four years and nine months in federal prison on Friday.
Procopio and his brother Michael ran the “10th and O Crew” together until they got busted. Frank pleaded guilty back in November for pushing oxycodone pills – the same painkillers that have killed thousands of Americans during the opioid crisis.
Court documents show Procopio’s crew wasn’t your average street corner operation. These guys worked around the clock between 2019 and 2024, trading shifts like they were running a legitimate business.
They even set up shop at a 24-hour restaurant in South Philly. Anyone looking for illegal pills knew exactly where to find them.
What made Procopio dangerous was his supply chain. He didn’t deal with middlemen. He got oxycodone pills straight from doctor’s offices before selling them throughout his network.
FBI takes down drug operation with hidden cameras
The FBI and DEA finally brought down the operation using undercover buys and surveillance.
In one damning piece of evidence, FBI agents captured photos of Procopio dividing up cash with a co-conspirator immediately after an undercover agent purchased pills from the crew.
These surveillance images showed Procopio counting money from illegal drug sales, sealing his fate in the federal case against him.
Procopio’s sentencing comes just weeks after his brother and co-leader, Michael Procopio, began serving his own six-year prison term for the same conspiracy charge.
Michael Procopio got hammered even harder than his brother. A jury convicted him last June, and in April he started serving a six-year prison sentence. Frank’s decision to plead guilty probably shaved time off his punishment.
Pills are still killing Philly
Taking down the Procopio brothers and their “10th and O Crew” is a win, but street-level dealers are still flooding American neighborhoods with deadly pills.
The feds aren’t messing around anymore. Their Health Care Fraud Strike Force has gone after more than 5,800 pill pushers and fraudsters since 2007.
These criminals ripped off taxpayers and insurance companies for a staggering $30 billion through healthcare scams, with many cases involving prescription painkillers being diverted to the streets.
Philadelphia has been hit especially hard by the opioid nightmare. The city lost over 1,000 people to overdoses in 2023 alone. Many died with oxycodone or fentanyl in their system.
Matthew R. Galeotti, who heads the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, announced the sentencing alongside big shots from the FBI Philadelphia Field Office and DEA New Jersey.
The takedown required serious teamwork. The FBI and DEA led the investigation with help from Pennsylvania’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Prosecutors Paul J. Koob and Nicholas K. Peone from the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section sealed the deal in court.
While the Procopio brothers cool their heels in federal prison, pills are still claiming lives across Pennsylvania. Families continue burying loved ones who never meant to get hooked on these drugs.
Law enforcement says they’re not backing down. Whether you’re slinging pills on the corner or writing bogus prescriptions in a white coat, the feds are coming after you.
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