MSP and Law Enforcement Partners Smash Massive Drug Trafficking Organization

Following a mammoth investigation by numerous law enforcement agencies, including the Massachusetts State Police northeastern drug task force, and under the direction of the Attorney General, 14 people were arrested and arraigned in connection with a major heroin/fentanyl trafficking operation in Methuen and Lawrence.

During the investigation, MSP Troopers, DEA Agents, and local police from Methuen, Lawrence and Woburn, assisted by federal Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations Officials and Essex Sheriff’s Deputies, seized approximately 25 kilograms of heroin/fentanyl and cocaine, four handguns, and nearly $100,000 in cash.

The investigation was the latest major operation involving the MSP’s Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team for the northeastern part of the state, one of three regional MSP narcotics task forces that focus on large scale investigations. MSP Troopers assigned to the Attorney General’s Office also played a major role in the investigation, and the seizure is the largest in the history of that office.

“This operation demonstrates the power and impact of inter-agency collaboration in tackling the opioid epidemic,” said Attorney General Maura Healey. “I want to thank our partners in federal, state, and local law enforcement for working with us to dismantle drug networks, prosecute traffickers, and keep these deadly drugs out of our communities. I know this takedown is going to save lives.”

Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, said during today’s announcement of the arrests: “By reducing the availability of these dangerous drugs, we are able to spare family and friends the heartache and pain of the loss of a loved one over their struggle with addiction. This effort will take all of our combined resources to detect, deter and ultimately dismantle these dangerous drug trafficking organizations. I am very proud of the work that is being performed everyday by each of our partner agencies and also by the members of the Massachusetts State Police.”

Authorities executed search warrants at 14 locations in Methuen and Lawrence early Wednesday morning that resulted in the seizure of 13.7 kilos of fentanyl/heroin and 6.8 kilos of cocaine; four firearms, including a loaded Ruger semi-automatic handgun, two .22 caliber handguns, one .45 Glock, and several rounds of ammunition; and $98,860 in cash. An additional two kilos of fentanyl/heroin and three kilos of cocaine were seized during the course of the investigation.

The investigation began in 2017 and culminated in this week’s takedown after months of undercover operations and cutting-edge surveillance of a sophisticated drug distribution enterprise with connections to other networks in the northeast and managed by traffickers as far away as New Jersey.

“Fentanyl is causing great damage to our communities and DEA’s top priority is to aggressively pursue anyone who distributes this poison in order to profit and destroy lives,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Illegal drug distribution ravages the very foundations of our families and communities so every time we take fentanyl off the streets, lives are saved. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, state, and federal law enforcement efforts and our strong partnership with Attorney General Healey’s Office.”

“Homeland Security Investigations appreciates the dedicated teamwork of state and federal law enforcement partners that brought about the results of today’s coordinated law enforcement operation and investigation,” said Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. “Today’s actions are a strong proof of how vital cooperation between local, state, and federal partners can be in protecting our communities throughout the Commonwealth from the dangerous threat of narcotics and those who deal them. With the critical help of the Attorney General and our local and federal law enforcement partners, we are making real progress together against those who seek to flood our streets with poison and in the fight against the impacts of the devastating opioid and fentanyl epidemic that has ravaged the lives of so many communities throughout the region.”

“Working collaboratively with our law enforcement partners to enhance public safety in Essex County is a priority of our department,” said Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger. “We will continue to support operations to make our community safer for all.”
These 12 individuals were arrested yesterday and arraigned in Lawrence District Court by Judge Michael A. Uhlarik on the following charges:

Ramon Cruz-Gonzalez, 45, of Lawrence
Fentanyl Trafficking, Over 10 Grams (one count)
Cocaine Trafficking, Over 200 Grams (one count)
Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act (one count)
Bail set at $1 million cash

Israel Santiago Ortiz (aka “Simpson”), 39, of Methuen
Fentanyl Trafficking, Over 10 Grams (one count)
Cocaine Trafficking, Over 200 Grams (one count)
Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act (one count)
Bail set at $1 million cash

Alberto Santana Santos, 36, of Lawrence
Fentanyl Trafficking, Over 10 Grams (one count)
Cocaine Trafficking, Over 200 Grams (one count)
Possession of a Firearm During a Felony (two counts)
Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act (one count)
Bail set at $1 million cash

Robinson Adames Abreu (aka “Papa”), 52, of Methuen
Fentanyl Trafficking, Over 10 Grams (one count)
Cocaine Trafficking, Over 200 Grams (one count)
Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act (one count)
Bail set at $500,000 cash

Jose Lugo-Garcia, 21, of Lawrence
Fentanyl Trafficking, Over 10 Grams (one count)
Cocaine Trafficking, Over 200 Grams (one count)
Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act (one count)
Bail set at $500,000 cash

Raul Martinez, 32, of Lawrence
Fentanyl Trafficking, Over 10 Grams (one count)
Cocaine Trafficking, Over 200 Grams (one count)
Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act (one count)
Bail set at $500,000 cash

Omar Acevedo (aka “Prieto”), 37, of Methuen
Fentanyl Trafficking, Over 10 Grams (one count)
Possession of a Firearm During a Felony (two counts)
Possession of a Class B Substance (one count)
Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act (one count)
Bail set at $250,000 cash

Jhonny Mota-Rodriguez, 24, of Lawrence
Fentanyl Trafficking, Over 10 Grams (three counts)
Cocaine Distribution (one count)
Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act (two counts)
Bail set at $50,000 cash

Cirio Delores Acevedo, 36, of Lawrence
Fentanyl Trafficking, Over 10 Grams (one count)
Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act (one count)
Bail set at $50,000 cash

Yeltsin De La Cruz, 28, of Lawrence
Fentanyl Trafficking, Over 10 Grams (one count)
Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act (one count)
Bail set at $50,000 cash

Sulerka Mercado, 37, of Methuen
Possession of a Firearm (one count)
Possession of a Class B Substance (one count)
Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act (one count)
Bail set at $50,000 cash

Jason Emery, 43, of Lawrence
Fentanyl Trafficking, Over 10 Grams (one count)
Bail set at $15,000 cash
The following individuals were arrested on June 17 and arraigned in Ayer District Court by Judge Margaret R. Guzman:
Jocheiry Acevedo Hernandez, 31, of Methuen
Fentanyl Trafficking, Over 10 Grams (one count)
Cocaine Trafficking, Over 200 Grams (one count)
Possession of a Class A Substance (one count)
Possession of a Class B Substance (one count)
Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class A Substance (one count)
Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Substance (one count)
Bail set at $50,000 cash, revoked due to a separate ongoing case

Maricely Carrion Ramos, 34, of Lawrence
Fentanyl Trafficking, Over 10 Grams (one count)
Cocaine Trafficking, Over 200 Grams (one count)
Possession of a Class A Substance (one count)
Possession of a Class B Substance (one count)
Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class A Substance (one count)
Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Substance (one count)
Bail set at $15,000, revoked due to a separate ongoing case