Massachusetts State Police Task Force arrests Southeastern MA narcotics trafficker

Authorities have made multiple arrests in a local drug operation.

According to Dave Procopio of Massachusetts State Police, in July 2021, Massachusetts State Troopers and local and federal partners assigned to a State Police narcotics task force began an investigation into suspected fentanyl trafficking in Plymouth, Bristol, and Norfolk Counties by Luis Garcia-Rodriguez, 38, of Brockton.

Over the following months, the investigation by the south unit of the Massachusetts State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction and Enforcement Team (MSP CINRET) included several undercover drug buys, surveillance, and other steps that established that Garcia-Rodriguez was maintaining a stash house – a location where a narcotics dealer stores product for distribution – on Bay Street in Taunton. The investigation resulted in probable cause to obtain a search warrant for that apartment and a vehicle that the suspect was believed to be using to distribute narcotics.

On the morning of January 28, Troopers and a Brockton Police detective and a Homeland Security Investigations federal agent assigned to MSP CINRET, along with Troopers from the MSP Gang Unit and MSP Troop D Community Action Team, set up surveillance on the stash house. In mid-afternoon, they observed Garcia-Rodriguez and a woman later identified as Danielle MacDougall, 26, of Canton, leave the residence and get into a Dodge Durango sport utility vehicle and drive away. Officers conducted a traffic stop, but when got out of his cruiser to approach the Durango, Garcia-Rodriguez, who was driving, accelerated in reverse at a high speed and struck an unmarked cruiser parked behind him.

The suspect vehicle continued in reverse on Bay Street and tried to hide the Durango in the driveway of a home. Troopers and officers in the area quickly located Garcia-Rodriguez as he tried to run away toward his residence and apprehended him. In a bag he threw down while fleeing on foot police found a handgun and a quantity of fentanyl that qualified as trafficking weight. MacDougall had remained in the Durango, and Troopers and Officers recovered narcotics from her possession.

MSP CINRET then executed the search warrant. All told, during the arrests and warrant execution, they seized approximately 75 grams of suspected fentanyl, approximately 75 grams of suspected cocaine, suspected methamphetamine pills weighing a total of approximately 25 grams, approximately 9 grams of Xanax, a .22 caliber handgun, a 9mm pistol without a serial number, assorted ammunition in both calibers, approximately $3,000 in cash, and other paraphernalia commonly associated with narcotics trafficking, including digital scales and packaging materials.

The suspects were booked at the State Police-Middleborough Barracks. Garcia-Rodriguez was charged with trafficking fentanyl, trafficking cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug laws, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, and motor vehicle offenses. MacDougall was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a Class C narcotic with intent to distribute, possession of a Class B narcotic, conspiracy to violate drug laws, and allowing improper operation of a motor vehicle. Both have been arraigned and are facing prosecution in state court.