The largest opioid takedown in the history of Attorney General Maura Healey’s office centered in Methuen and Lawrence took millions of dollars of the deadly drugs fentanyl and heroin off Merrimack Valley streets, Healey confirmed Thursday.
More than 100 members of local, state, federal agencies worked in tandem Wednesday to execute warrants at 14 locations across the region to arrest 12 people and seize weapons, cash and drugs.
Methuen Police Department Capt. James P. Jajuga Jr. was among those to lend a hand with the two-year investigation that involved law enforcement partners as far away as New Jersey.
“This underground economy has a direct and detrimental impact on countless lives, and knows no boundaries, economic, geographic, or otherwise,” Jajuga told WHAV. “We, as a police department, pledge to continue to work in conjunction with fellow law enforcement, and the public, to battle this epidemic.”
Four guns, nearly $100,000 in cash and more than 24 kilograms of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine were seized as a result of the raid, Healey said.
The street value of the narcotics was said to be in the millions, according to Healey.
Below is a list of those arrested and the associated charges.
Ramon Cruz-Gonzalez, 45, of Lawrence, charged with fentanyl trafficking, over 10 grams (one count); cocaine trafficking, over 200 grams (one count); and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act (one count). Bail set at $1 million cash.
Israel Santiago Ortiz, also known as “Simpson,”, 39, of Methuen, charged with fentanyl trafficking, over 10 grams (one count); cocaine trafficking, over 200 grams (one count); and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act (one count). Bail set at $1 million cash.
Alberto Santana Santos, 36, of Lawrence, charged with fentanyl trafficking, over 10 grams (one count); cocaine trafficking, over 200 grams (one count); possession of a firearm during a felony (two counts); and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act (one count). Bail set at $1 million cash.
Robinson Adames Abreu (aka “Papa”), 52, of Methuen, charged with fentanyl trafficking, over 10 grams (one count); cocaine trafficking, over 200 grams (one count); and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act (one count). Bail set at $500,000 cash.
Jose Lugo-Garcia, 21, of Lawrence, was charged with fentanyl trafficking, over 10 grams (one count); cocaine trafficking, over 200 grams (one count); and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act (one count). Bail set at $500,000 cash.
Raul Martinez, 32, of Lawrence, was charged with fentanyl trafficking, over 10 grams (one count); cocaine trafficking, over 200 grams (one count); and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act (one count). Bail set at $500,000 cash.
Omar Acevedo (aka “Prieto”), 37, of Methuen, was charged with fentanyl trafficking, over 10 grams (one count); possession of a firearm during a felony (two counts); possession of a class b substance (one count); and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act (one count). Bail set at $250,000 cash.
Jhonny Mota-Rodriguez, 24, of Lawrence, was charged with fentanyl trafficking, over 10 grams (three counts); cocaine distribution (one count); and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act (two counts). Bail set at $50,000 cash.
Cirio Delores Acevedo, 36, of Lawrence, was charged with fentanyl trafficking, over 10 grams (one count), and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act (one count). Bail set at $50,000 cash.
Yeltsin De La Cruz, 28, of Lawrence, was charged with fentanyl trafficking, over 10 grams (one count) and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act (one count). Bail set at $50,000 cash.
Sulerka Mercado, 37, of Methuen, was charged with possession of a firearm (one count); possession of a class b substance (one count); and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act (one count). Bail set at $50,000 cash.
Jason Emery, 43, of Lawrence, was charged with fentanyl trafficking, over 10 grams (one count). Bail set at $15,000 cash .
The following individuals were arrested June 17 and arraigned in Ayer District Court by Judge Margaret R. Guzman.
Jocheiry Acevedo Hernandez, 31, of Methuen, was charged with fentanyl trafficking, over 10 grams (one count); cocaine trafficking, over 200 grams (one count); possession of a class a substance (one count) ; possession of a class b substance (one count); possession with intent to distribute a class a substance (one count); and possession with intent to distribute a class b substance (one count). Bail set at $50,000 cash, but revoked due to a separate ongoing case.
Maricely Carrion Ramos, 34, of Lawrence, was charged with fentanyl trafficking, over 10 grams (one count); cocaine trafficking, over 200 grams (one count); possession of a class a substance (one count) ; possession of a class b substance (one count); possession with intent to distribute a class a substance (one count); and possession with intent to distribute a class b substance (one count). Bail set at $15,000, but revoked due to a separate ongoing case.