Bristol County District Attorney’s Office takes down supplier, 7 others, in Fall River, Taunton drug ring

Three weeks after the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office announced the results of a takedown of a sophisticated fentanyl trafficking ring operating in and around Taunton and Fall River, investigators have now arrested one of the alleged suppliers of the trafficking organization, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

“Operation Shore Thing,” a multi-jurisdictional year-long extensive investigation into a narcotics trafficking ring operating in and around Taunton and Fall River, has resulted in the seizure of approximately $350,000 worth of fentanyl and oxycodone, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III and State Police Superintendent, Col. Christopher Mason announced on May 11.

On May 23rd, the multi-jurisdictional task force was able to track an alleged supplier of the drug ring, 44-year-old Antonio Valdez, from his home in Dorchester to Fall River, where he was eventually apprehended while in possession of 21 grams of fentanyl, two grams of cocaine and numerous oxycodone pills. He was charged with trafficking in fentanyl, trafficking oxycodone and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

“I am pleased that our wiretap investigation has now resulted in the arrest of the alleged supplier and the seizure of more fentanyl and oxycodone, both of which are directly contributing to the fatal overdoses in our communities,” District Attorney Quinn said.

In all, “Operation Shore Thing” resulted in the seizure of approximately 1,971 grams of fentanyl, more than 4,300 oxycodone tablets, 53 grams of crack cocaine, two illegal firearm and $75,000 in cash.

“I’m very pleased this investigation, in collaboration with the CINRET Unit of the state police and others, resulted in the dismantling of a large-scale fentanyl distribution ring that was connected to a number of communities in our county,” District Attorney Quinn said. “The investigation involved the seizure of just under two kilos of fentanyl, thousands of oxycodone pills and other narcotics that contribute to the drug problem in our community, and sadly result in fatal overdoses. We will continue to investigate these drug organizations and hold people accountable for contributing to the ongoing addiction problems in our communities.”

For more than a year, the Massachusetts State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team South task force and prosecutors from District Attorney Quinn’s office investigated a drug trafficking organization based out of Bristol County. The trafficking organization was suspected of perpetuating street and mid-level opioid drug dealing throughout Bristol County and the region. The investigation included numerous search warrants for covert surveillance of the organization.

According to the BCDAO, the mission of CINRET South is to partner with other state, local and federal agencies to work collectively in partnerships to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations. CINRET South identifies, targets, investigates, and seizes the illicit assets of drug trafficking organizations whose transportation and/or distribution of opioids, specifically fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, and other drugs that extensively impact southern Massachusetts and the surrounding New England region in a negative manner with overdoses, hospitalizations, violent crimes, and property offenses. CINRET South is comprised of members of the Massachusetts State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, the Brockton Police Department, and the East Bridgewater Police Department.

On Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at approximately 4:08 p.m., CINRET South, members of District Attorney Quinn’s Massachusetts State Police Unit, Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, Massachusetts State Police D-Community Action Team, Fall River Police, Taunton Police, and Somerset Police members formed four teams and spontaneously arrested six target subjects and executed search warrants at four locations in Taunton and Fall River.

After the six arrests and search warrant executions in Bristol County, investigators identified the primary oxycodone source of supply to the organization. The residence, verified through surveillance and records checks, was identified, and located in Lawrence. On Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at approximately 6:03 a.m., CINRET South, along with members of CINRET North, Lawrence Police, Andover Police, and Homeland Security Investigations executed a “knock and announce” search warrant in Lawrence without incident. The oxycodone supplier was located and apprehended.

“Operation Shore Thing leaves us sure of one very big thing — southeastern Massachusetts is safer today than it was before, thanks to the tenacious work of state troopers, police officers, federal agents, and prosecutors. Through their efforts, a heavy volume of illegal narcotics that fuel pain, death, and addiction were taken out of circulation, and the crew who profited from the misery that their product inflicted on others now face justice,” Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, said.

Christopher McLaughlin, 40, of Fall River, was charged with Conspiracy to violate the drug law, Trafficking Fentanyl, Trafficking Cocaine, Trafficking Oxycodone, and Possession with intent to Distribute Class B.

Casey Ruby, 34, of Taunton, was charged with Conspiracy to violate the drug law, Trafficking Fentanyl, Trafficking Cocaine, Trafficking Oxycodone, Possession with intent to Distribute Class B, Possession of a Firearm w/o ID x 2, Possession of a large capacity weapon of feeding device x 2, and Possession of ammunition without FID card.

Joshua Nazario, 31, of Taunton, was charged with Conspiracy to violate the drug law, Trafficking Fentanyl, Trafficking Cocaine, Trafficking Oxycodone, Possession with intent to Distribute Class B, Possession of a Firearm w/o ID x 2, Possession of a large capacity weapon of feeding device x 2, and Possession of ammunition without FID card.

Eddyberto Mejia, 28, of Taunton, was charged with Conspiracy to violate the drug law and Possession with intent to Distribute Class B (Oxycodone).

Eusebio Andrade, 39, of Taunton, was charged with Trafficking Fentanyl, Conspiracy to violate the drug law, and Trafficking Oxycodone.

Corey Robeiro, 32, of 6Taunton, was charged with Conspiracy to violate the drug law, Trafficking Fentanyl, and Possession of Class B drug.

Rocio Taveras, 48 of Lawrence, was charged with Conspiracy to violate the drug law, Trafficking Oxycodone, and Distribution of Class B (Oxycodone).