6 from Massachusetts accused of trafficking firearms and drugs after cocaine and guns seized

LOWELL – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Lowell Police Superintendent Greg Hudon and Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble have announced the arrests of John Miller, Kevin Chou, Vesnar Van, Norath Chou, Jacob Boyce and Theresa Naill in connection with allegedly trafficking firearms and cocaine.

Since February of 2024, the Lowell Police Department Special Investigations Section in collaboration with the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit and the Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office have been investigating these individuals for trafficking of cocaine and firearms in the City of Lowell. As part of the investigation, an undercover officer conducted a series of controlled purchases between March 2024 and October 2024. Based on these controlled purchases, the Lowell Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police applied yesterday for warrants to arrest Kevin Chou, Van and Naill. They were arrested without incident this morning in Lowell. An arrest warrant also issued for John Miller of Lowell, who has not yet been apprehended. 

Law Enforcement Officers also conducted searches of two homes in Lowell this morning in connection with the investigation.  In one home alleged to be the residence of John Miller, police seized approximately 400 grams of cocaine and over $51,000 in cash.  In a second home, alleged to be the residence of Kevin Chou, Vesnar Van, and Norath Chou, police seized three firearms two AR-style rifles, ammunition in various calibers, multiple large capacity magazines, and over 900 grams of cocaine. 

“These arrests reflect our commitment to removing illegal firearms from our streets and  to disrupting large-scale drug operations.  These defendants, over an extended period of time, are alleged to have been trafficking in substantial  quantities of cocaine and other drugs and offering AR-style rifles and other weapons for sale to unlicensed individuals.  These weapons, coupled with the large supply of ammunition which was recovered, created a significant danger and we know too well the havoc that this amount of cocaine can create,” said District Attorney Ryan. 

 “I greatly value our ongoing collaboration with the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and Massachusetts State Police. The recent seizure of firearms and drugs significantly enhances the safety of our community and underscores the importance of our collective efforts,” said Superintendent Hudon.

“Today’s arrests culminate a thorough investigation between multiple agencies who share a commitment to end all forms of drug and firearm trafficking,” Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoff Noble said. “Disrupting criminal activity like this limits the availability of lethal weapons and addictive substances. We remain focused on supporting a swift prosecution to deter others from these dangerous behaviors and bolster public safety in the communities we call home.”

John Miller, 31, of Lowell, has been charged with one count of trafficking in cocaine more than 200 grams, five counts of distribution of cocaine, one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, two counts of conspiracy to traffick in cocaine, six counts of trafficking in cocaine more than 18 grams, two counts of illegally carrying a firearm, four counts of armed career criminal, two counts of illegal possession of ammunition, two counts of trafficking in 1-2 firearms, and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Kevin Chou, 26, of Lowell has been charged with four counts of distribution of cocaine, one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, one count of possession of cocaine, one count of possession of ammunition without a license, and four counts of possession of large capacity feeding devices.

Norath Chou, 30, of Lowell has been charged with one count of possession of cocaine.

Vesnar Van, 35, of Lowell has been charged with one count of trafficking in cocaine over 200 grams, one count of distribution of cocaine, one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, two counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine in more than 18 grams, and two counts of trafficking in cocaine over 18 grams, three counts of possession of a firearm without a license, two counts of possession of a rifle without a license, two counts of possession of a rifle with a defaced serial number, six counts of possession of large capacity feeding devices, possession of a large capacity weapon during the commission of a felony, and one count of possession of ammunition without a license.

Jacob Boyce, 27, of Lowell has been charged with one count of possession of Adderall with intent to distribute and one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

Theresa Naill, 43, of Lowell has been charged with distribution of cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

The defendants are expected to be arraigned Tuesday in Lowell District Court.

This case is being investigated by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Lowell Police Department, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Lowell Police Department Special Investigations Section and the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit.