Massachusetts Governor Healey orders inspection of all shelters after seizure of AR-15 assault rifle, fentanyl worth over 1 million dollars at migrant housing leads to arrest

A major seizure at a Massachusetts migrant hotel that led to an arrest has garnered the attention of Massachusetts officials.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey issued a statement Monday after Revere Police Patrol Units initiated an early morning investigation Friday inside a hotel room located at the Quality Inn, 100 Morris Street in Revere. The investigation resulted in patrol officers discovering a large capacity .556 caliber assault rifle. Officers subsequently arrested Leonardo Andujar Sanchez, 28, for the weapons violation.

“It’s outrageous that this individual took advantage of our shelter system to engage in criminal activity. Our administration has been in touch with both local law enforcement and federal immigration officials regarding this case. This further underscores our broken federal immigration system and the urgent need for Congress and the White House to act on a border security bill to prevent criminals from entering our communities. The people of Massachusetts should not continue to have to deal with the impacts of federal inaction. I’ve ordered an inspection of all shelter units, beginning with the Revere site, and a full review of our intake processes to determine any additional steps that we can take to prevent criminal activity in shelters.” -Governor Healey

Revere Police Detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division and Special Investigations Unit along with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, later applied for and obtained a search warrant for the premises. The search warrant was executed and recovered approximately 5 kilograms/10lbs of fentanyl with an estimated street value of over $1 million dollars. In addition, three large capacity rifle magazines, one of which was loaded with .556 ammunition, was recovered. 

“This individual endangered occupants of the hotel, on-site workers, public safety personnel and the community at large” stated Chief David J. Callahan. “His arrest underscores our commitment to work tirelessly to protect our community from those dealing deadly Fentanyl and possessing illegal firearms.” 

During a Spanish-language interview, ERO officers determined that Andujar unlawfully entered the U.S. on an unknown date at an unknown location sometime within the past year.

ERO Boston lodged an immigration detainer against him immediately following his arrest.

Sanchez was charged with ten firearm offenses and Trafficking in Fentanyl. He was arraigned in Chelsea District Court and was held without bail.