A former Haverhill resident is among 30 individuals charged with federal drug, gun and immigration offenses, the U.S. Attorney’s office announced Tuesday, May 30.
Oscar Francisco Marcano Valverde, 38, a Dominican national, is currently in custody at Bristol County House of Corrections after the “Operation Bad Company” sweep was carried out across the Merrimack Valley by more than 200 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers. Tuesday’s arrests mark the end of a yearlong investigation aimed at alleviating Lawrence’s drug problem.
Leonel Vives, 30, and Euclides Alcantara, 49, both of Methuen, and Matthew Shover, 29, of Sandown, N.H., were also arrested.
Valverde and his codefendants are alleged to have executed a lucrative drug trafficking ring that included regional distribution of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine. If convicted on drug charges, those arrested face up to 20 years in prison. Firearms charges carry a sentence of up to 10 years behind bars.
Four additional individuals were taken into custody during Tuesday’s sweep and face administrative immigration charges, U.S. Attorney William D. Weinreb’s office confirmed.
The DEA Cross Border Initiative, made up of the DEA and the Andover, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, and Wilmington Police Departments, carried out the investigation along with the Massachusetts State Police. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Winkler of the Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit.
Great work folks ! I am sure there will be more arrests coming as the rats start squealing for a better deal will rat out their supposed friends. The vacation is over now that there is a new sheriff in power in Washington. No more coddling illegals and criminals. The people have had enough of this progressive feel good crap.
Beware Mr. Mayor of your plan to turn Haverhill into a sanctuary city. Some of us know what you secretly wanted to do and we will keep watching and listening. Your actions are not going to be tolerated.
The City of Boston last week announced that 65% of all crime in that city is committed by criminal trespassers from other countries, mainly the Dominican Republic. What is the percentage in Haverhill???
These are the same criminal trespassers that city councilor Andy Vargas just a few weeks was warning on his Facebook page to seek safe haven with ICE and the Federal Government conducting investigations in the City of Haverhill. These arrests are now proof positive that Andy was aiding and betting those invaders in the commission of a crime. It just goes to show what an absolute hypocrite Andy is….while these drugs dealers from other countries are bringing the drugs to this country that are whipping out Andy’s age group peers, he’s more interested in protecting the criminals breaking the law.
When are voters going to realize the liberal agenda promoted by Andy and the mayor has turned Haverhill into an extremely dangerous place??