A criminal syndicate known as the "Fentanyl Robbery Gang" (F.R.G.), identified by law enforcement, allegedly orchestrated a wide-ranging criminal enterprise spanning multiple states from New Hampshire to Virginia, involving deceptive tactics, narcotics distribution laced with fentanyl, and tragically resulting in four fatalities, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

All seven members of the group, reportedly affiliated with New York-based gangs, have been apprehended and are currently in custody, as announced in a detailed news release from the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania issued on Friday.

The charges filed against the members are serious and include distributing a controlled substance that led to death and serious injury, conspiring to distribute the substance resulting in death and serious injury, kidnapping, aggravated identity theft, and two counts of brandishing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking activities.

Authorities revealed that the F.R.G. used online dating platforms as a guise to lure unsuspecting victims seeking prostitution services. Allegedly, they administered fentanyl-laced narcotics to incapacitate their victims, resorting to forceful administration if met with resistance or surreptitiously introducing the drugs into victims' systems without their knowledge. Once incapacitated, the gang reportedly proceeded to rob victims of their money and valuable possessions.

"In instances where victims did not succumb to the intended incapacitation, members of the F.R.G. reportedly shifted strategies to home-invasion robberies," gaining entry with the assistance of collaborators. Allegedly, they seized valuables through intimidation, physical violence, and aggravated assault, as outlined in comprehensive details provided by the Justice Department.

The consequences were dire, with four individuals tragically losing their lives to fentanyl overdoses — three in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and one in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Law enforcement remains actively engaged in gathering additional information about potential associates or victims linked to the F.R.G. The FBI urges individuals with relevant information to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.

Currently, it remains unclear whether the apprehended members of the group have secured legal representation to navigate the serious charges brought against them.