Two Haverhill Residents Among Dozen Arrested for Major Heroin, Fentanyl Operation

(File photograph.)

Two Haverhill residents are among 12 who were arrested and 600 grams of suspected heroin and fentanyl were seized during a local, state and federal raid Friday on, what was called, a major heroin and fentanyl trafficking operation.

Both Cheryl Margosian and Richard Fuoco of Haverhill were charged with fentanyl trafficking—Margosian with three counts. They face arraignment Monday morning in Lawrence District Court.

Police, using search warrants in Haverhill and Lawrence, seized approximately 600 grams of suspected heroin and fentanyl and $21,000 in cash. During an earlier phase of the investigation, an additional 300 grams suspected heroin and fentanyl was taken. Attorney General Maura Healey said those arrested brought large quantities of the often-deadly drugs into Lawrence, Lowell, Haverhill and Peabody.

“These arrests are the result of an extensive joint investigation into heroin and fentanyl targeting those who bring these lethal drugs into our communities,” said Healey. “We thank our state, federal and local law enforcement partners for working with us to go after these traffickers and dismantle their criminal networks.”

Friday’s arrests are the result of an investigation involving Healey’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crime Division, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the attorney general’s office, State Police Transportation Drug Unit, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security, with assistance from the Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill and Peabody Police Departments.

“Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels across New England and those suffering from opioid addiction need access to treatment and recovery,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “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 demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our local, state and federal partners and our strong partnership with Attorney General Healey’s office.”

Others arrested and their charges were Kenni Luna-Percel (also known as Helton Jose Marin Perez), of Lowell, trafficking over 200 grams of heroin, two counts of trafficking over 100 grams of heroin and conspiracy; Santo Angel-Perez (also known as Joused Gracia-Canales), of Peabody, trafficking over 200 grams of heroin and conspiracy;  “Jose Figueroa” of Lawrence, trafficking over 200 grams of heroin and conspiracy; Miguel Eligio Cruz Prandy, (also known as Miguel Cruz Prade), of Lawrence; trafficking over 200 grams of heroin, two counts of trafficking over 100 grams of heroin and conspiracy; Kristina Ramos (also known as Ivonne Bolorin), of Lowell, trafficking over 200 grams of heroin and conspiracy; Aneudy Tejeda-Soto of Lawrence, trafficking over 200 grams of heroin and conspiracy; Jesus Tejeda-Tejeda of Lawrence, trafficking over 200 grams of heroin and conspiracy; Alfredin Mejia-Soto of Lawrence, trafficking over 200 grams of heroin and conspiracy; Yunida Peguero-Beras of Lawrence, knowingly being present where heroin is kept; and Christian Jose Brown of Lawrence, conspiracy.

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