Cops Seize Nearly A Kilogram of Heroin and Fentanyl – $21K in Cash In Raids In Lawrence, Lowell, Peabody and Haverhill

state police
Joint task force on Hall Street in Lawrence on Friday PHOTO: VALLEY PATRIOT NEWS SPOTTER

 

A large scale joint state and federal investigation has resulted in the arrest of 12 individuals in connection with a major heroin and fentanyl trafficking operation that brought large quantities of the lethal drugs into Lawrence, Lowell, Haverhill, and Peabody.

Friday’s arrests are the result of an extensive investigation involving Attorney General Healey’s Enterprise, Major, and Cyber Crimes Division of the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s office, the state police transportation Drug Unit, The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Lawrence, Lowell, Haverhill, and Peabody police departments.

During the course of the investigation, authorities seized approximately 900 grams of suspected heroin and fentanyl from Haverhill and Lawrence.

“These arrests are the result of an extensive joint investigation into heroin and fentanyl targeting those who bring these lethal drugs into our communities” Attorney General Healey said.

“We thank our state, federal and local law enforcement partners for working with us to go after these traffickers and dismantle their criminal networks.”

“Opioid abuse is at the epidemic levels across New England and those suffering from Opioid addiction need access to treatment and recovery.,” DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael Ferguson said.

State Police on Union and Haverhill Street in Lawrence PHOTO: Valley Patriot News Spotter
State Police on Union and Haverhill Street in Lawrence PHOTO: Valley Patriot News Spotter

“But those responsible for distributing a lethal drug like fentanyl to the citizens of Massachusetts and New Hampshire need to be held accountable for their actions. DEA is committed to aggressively pursue drug trafficking organizations or individuals who are coming from out of state to distribute this poison in order to profit and destroy people’s lives. This investigation demonstrated the strength and continued commitment of our local, state, and federal partners and out strong partnership with AG Healey’s office.

Arrested in Today’s Raids

Kenni Luna-Percel, (a.k.a. Helton Jose Marin Perez) of Lowell
Trafficking over 200 grams of heroin
Trafficking over 100 grams of heroin (2 counts)
Conspiracy

Santo Angel-Perez, (a.k.a. Joused Gracia-Canales), of Peabody
Trafficking over 200 grams of heroin
Conspiracy

Jose Figueroa of Lawrence
Trafficking over 200 grams of heroin
Conspiracy

Miguel Eligio Cruz PRandy, (a.k.a Miguel Cruz Prade) of Lawrence.
 Trafficking over 200 grams of heroin
Trafficking over 100 grams of heroin (two additional counts)
Conspiracy

Kristina Ramos, (a.k.a. Ivonne Bolorin), of Lowell
Trafficking over 200 grams of heroin
Conspiracy

Hesus Tejeda-Tejeda of Lawrence
Trafficking over200 grams of heroin
Conspriacy

Yunida Peguero-Beras of Lawrence
Knowingly being present where heroin is kept

Cheryl Margosian of Haverhill
Trafficking fentanyl (3 counts)

Richard Fuoco of Haverhill
Trafficking fentanyl (1 count)

Christian Jose Brown of Lawrence
Conspiracy
The Defendants will be arraigned on various drug trafficking and conspiracy charges Monday morning in Lawrence District Court.

During the execution of search warrants at multiple locations in Haverhill and Lawrence today, authorities seized approximately 600 grams of suspected heroin and fentanyl as well as $21,000 in cash. Prior to today’s arrests, authorities seized approximately 300 grams additional of suspected heroin and fentanyl during the course of the investigation.

AG Healey’s office says they have been working closely with federal, state, and local partners to combat illegal drug trafficking. AG Healey has formed an internal task force to more aggressively combat the heroin and prescription drug abuse crisis in Massachusetts. The AG’s office is using a multi-faceted approach that includes education for prescribers, pursuing illegal drug traffickers and pill mills, and expanding access to recover and treatment programs.

AG Healey’s office has committed a $1M grand from the U.S. Department of Justice to form a new Fentanyl Strike Force, In partnership with the Massachusetts State Police, this task force will target heroin and fentanyl traffickers and dismantle their distribution networks across Massachusetts. The funds will expand the AG’s office’s own drug enforcement work and has helped build enhanced partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement.   

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, an estimated 2,069 people – the highest number ever recorded in state history and a 15% year over year – died from opioid overdoses in 2016. The number of deaths from opioid overdoses last year involved he lethal drug. Essex county has one of the highest rate of opioid caused overdose deaths in the state.