Two arrested, over 16 pounds of fentanyl, methamphetamine pills seized from Mass distribution network

BOSTON – Authorities arrested two people and recovered over 16 pounds of suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine pills, plus two guns, Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and Lawrence Police Head of Department Capt. Michael McCarthy announced.

36-year-old Vincent Cahalane was arrested and charged with numerous firearms offenses, as well as trafficking 200+ grams of Class A drugs (fentanyl), 200+ grams Class B drugs (cocaine) and an additional 200+ grams of Class B drugs (methamphetamine).

23-year-old Mariah Lasalle was charged with trafficking 10+ grams of Class A drugs (fentanyl) and 36+ grams Class B drugs (methamphetamine).

Both pleaded not guilty during their arraignment Wednesday in District Court. Cahalane was ordered held without bail, while Lasalle was ordered held on $5,000 cash bail.

In May, members of the Essex County District Attorney’s Office State Police Detective Unit began investigating a suspected Massachusetts fentanyl pill distribution network.

Cahalane and Lasalle were identified as targets and, on Wednesday morning, authorities simultaneously raided their respective apartments.

In Cahalane’s, investigators reported finding two firearms, ammunition, bags of white powder and over 10,000 blue and orange pills believed to be fentanyl and methamphetamine.

In Lasalle’s apartment, investigators located a smaller amount of blue and orange pills. All told, the suspected narcotics weighed 6-7 kilos.

The investigation and raids were conducted by the Essex County SPDU, the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, detectives from the Lawrence Police Department and investigators from the federal Department of Homeland Security.