24 Kilos of Drugs & 14 Arrested in Major Takedown

Fourteen people were arrested and arraigned in connection with a major heroin and fentanyl trafficking operation that stretched across the Northeast – and all the way to New Jersey, authorities announced this week.
During the investigation, authorities seized more than 25 kilograms of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine, four firearms and nearly $100,000 in cash in a probe that was centered in Massachusetts. It was the largest takedown of an opioid trafficking operation in the history of the Attorney General's Office in that state, Attorney General Maura Healey announced on Thursday.
"I know this takedown is going to save lives," Healey said.

Authorities executed search warrants at 14 locations in Methuen and Lawrence, Mass. on Wednesday that resulted in the seizure of 13.7 kilos of fentanyl and heroin and 6.8 kilos of cocaine, according to a press release from Healey's office.
Also seized were four firearms, including a loaded Ruger semi-automatic handgun, two .22 caliber handguns, one .45 Glock, and several rounds of ammunition, as well as $98,860 in cash. An additional two kilos of fentanyl/heroin and three kilos of cocaine were seized during the course of the investigation, according to the release.

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.
The enterprise had connections to other networks in the Northeast and was managed by traffickers as far away as New Jersey, according to the release.

The AGO declined to discuss the specifics of New Jersey's connections.

"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."

These individuals who were arrested and arraigned were: Ramon Cruz-Gonzalez, 45, of Lawrence, Mass.; Israel Santiago Ortiz (aka "Simpson"), 39, of Methuen, Mass.; Alberto Santana Santos, 36, of Lawrence; Robinson Adames Abreu (aka "Papa"), 52, of Methuen ; Jose Lugo-Garcia, 21, of Lawrence; Raul Martinez, 32, of Lawrence; Omar Acevedo (aka "Prieto"), 37, of Methuen; Jhonny Mota-Rodriguez, 24, of Lawrence; Cirio Delores Acevedo, 36, of Lawrence; Yeltsin De La Cruz, 28, of Lawrence; Sulerka Mercado, 37, of Methuen; Jason Emery, 43, of Lawrence; Jocheiry Acevedo Hernandez, 31, of Methuen; and Maricely Carrion Ramos, 34, of Lawrence
This investigation is ongoing.

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