Seizure of AR-15 assault rifle, fentanyl worth over 1 million dollars at Massachusetts migrant housing leads to arrest

A major seizure at a Massachusetts migrant hotel has led to an arrest.

According to police, on Friday, Revere Police Patrol Units initiated an early morning investigation 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. 

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 Thursday and was held without bail. A Dangerousness Hearing is scheduled for January 2.