This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. The arrests and charges follow "four other recent federal indictments charging 17 individuals in connection with a Taunton heroin distribution network," according to the press release. (WPRI) A year-long investigation into an alleged drug-trafficking operation in the area of Taunton and Fall River has resulted in seven people being arrested, the Bristol. Thursday, June 10, 2021 For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts BOSTON - Fifteen members and associates of a Lowell-based gang, One Family Clique (OFC), have been charged, and 14 were arrested today, for allegedly perpetrating large-scale and long-running drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracies. The Taunton Police Department hosted U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz today as she announced arrests and federal charges connected to a large-scale heroin distribution ring. Cold Case Cards: All In Is It Ever Too Hopeless? Lunar time zone push begins, Hate your signature? Updated: Jul 9, 2021 / 08:01 PM EDT COVENTRY, R.I. (WPRI) Eight people, including two Rhode Islanders, have been arrested following a months-long investigation into a large-scale. The federal Drug Enforcement Agency and Massachusetts State Police are expected to attend today's press briefing at the Taunton Police Department. In her motion, Hendrie also argued that Demers has a viable case to suppress evidence against him and that prosecutors have not yet sought a grand jury indictment against Demers to send his case for trial in superior court. When the warrant was served police found several people inside of a large garage that was attached to the Winthrop Street building. "At the city government level, we need to come up with creative ways to get more police officers," Hoye said. "All I'll say is, it's just not right," Coven said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Hassink of Rollins Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case. Lunar time zone push begins, Hate your signature? The eight people were arrested on a variety of charges. The drug organization mainly dealt in cocaine, Sutter said. "Our players, our shooters, are their players, their shooters," Walsh said. Thank you for reading! "Doris Mejia Ruiz delivered fentanyl to Cruz-Rivera at the direction of Matos.". If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. They also seized $1,950 in cash, and . Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Fernandes, 24, of Taunton, charged with 10 counts of conspiracy to Michael J. Demers, 56, of Taunton, posted $10,000 cash and was released after being fitted with a GPS bracelet at Attleboro District Court. Use of a Firearm in a Felony "All five indictments are part of an ongoing federal effort to stem the tide of heroin and fentanyl in southeastern Massachusetts.". Johnathan Abreu, 20, of Taunton Welcome! On the morning of Jan. 29, 2021, agents arrested Rivera outside his apartment. Coven said Curley should have called the attorneys for both men "the minute" she knew she would not be seeking to hold them on dangerousness grounds. five counts of conspiracy to violate the drug laws; Michelle "The investigation revealed that Dedwin Cruz-Rivera was obtaining heroin and fentanyl from multiple wholesale suppliers, including Eric Matos and Manuel Romero-Gonsalez, and was distributing the drugs to Taunton-based dealers, including Maria Rodriguez, her son William Rodriguez, Oniel Rivera, and Xavier Ramos," according to the press release. And I bet they all got their SECOND stimulus check because thats what nancy, pig face, pelosi and chuck, waste of human flesh, schumer believe will get their party votes. . The Norfolks District Attorneys Office confirmed that Pyrtle was scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in Quincy District Court on one count each of Trafficking a Class A Substance, Fentanyl, Trafficking a Class B Substance, Cocaine, Possession with Intent to Distribute, a Class D Substance, Marijuana. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. James Casey was traveling east on Winthrop St. (Rte 44). The Norfolk County District Attorneys Office assisted with Pyrtles arrest in Braintree, and the Middlesex County District Attorneys Office assisted with the search warrant execution in Somerville. TAUNTON - Fifteen people authorities say were associated with high-level drug dealing in the Taunton area were arrested Monday during a warrant sweep in Taunton and Raynham, District. drugs laws and one count of possessing an illegal firearm; Jose Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Boston Opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts increased by 5 percent in 2020 compared to 2019, with rates among Black non-Hispanic males making up the largest increase, according to preliminary data released today by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). The South Shore Drug Task Force is comprised of the following communities: Braintree; Weymouth; Randolph; Milton; Holbrook; Cohasset; Norfolk County Sheriffs Office; and Quincy, as the host community. We collect statistics to track the progression of the opioid crisis. "The investigation was launched as part of the federal response to the heroin epidemic plaguing Massachusetts, and Taunton in particular, which has seen a steep increase in heroin overdose deaths since 2013," according to Ortiz' press release. Updated data - Q1 2020 - As of June 2020. with 14 counts of conspiracy to violate the drug laws and Despite recent shootings, Walsh and Hoye both argue that violent crime statistics are relatively steady. The investigation involved the seizure of just under two kilos of fentanyl, thousands of oxycodone pills and other narcotics that contribute to the drug problem in our community, and sadly result in fatal overdoses, DA Thomas Quinn III said. Checking back? At the time of his arrest, Pyrtle had approximately $5,290 in cash on his person. Walsh said he and investigators often meet with law enforcement from nearby cities including Brockton, Fall River and New Bedford to discuss the region's "problem players. A lock ( Leonardo Monteiro, 20, of Brockton We hope that you enjoy our free content. Subscribe today. Two women arrested with Demers were not charged with any offenses related to the alleged narcotics in the room. "We're very active at getting guns off the street," Walsh said Wednesday, seated at a table with Hoye and three of the department's other top officers. The city has 108 officers in its department, Walsh said, down from 128 a decade ago. hallmarks, and that is law enforcement agencies sharing information Official websites use .gov Officers conducted 10 controlled buys before raiding the apartments, he said. access for current print subscribers. Your email address will not be published. While Walsh refused, earlier this week, to discuss the cases tied directly to Ortiz' announcement, he and Taunton Mayor Thomas C. Hoye Jr. met Wednesday to discuss gun violence in the city. Please limit your input to 500 characters. "The following men and women have been charged in connection to the heroin ring: Dedwin Cruz-Rivera, 39, and Christian Sostre, 21, both of Fall River; Eric Matos, 37, and Miguelina Mejia Ruiz, 21, both of Lawrence; Manuel Romero-Gonsalez, 37, Luz Gonzalez, 33, Francis Gonsalez-Romero, 39, and Maria Elena Ocasio, 55, all of Providence, Rhode Island; Julio C. Ocasio, 24, Xavier Ramos, 25, Maria Rodriguez, 38, William M. Rodriguez, 22, Lindsay Ann Belisle, 29, Jose O. Perez, 28, KellyPatterson, 36, Jorge Vega, 40, Jose A. Rodriguez, 40, Oniel Rivera, 28, Christopher Perez, 36, Kelly Jean Gagnon, 39, Joseph W. Parsons, 23 and Philip Malaguti, 31, all of Taunton; Cory S. Nickerson, 31, of New Bedford; Steven M. Enos, 28, of Berkley; and John A. Thank you for your website feedback! "There are lots of moving parts. The investigation started in August 2019 . Neylton Fontes, 33, of Brockton Taunton man arrested in Norton drug raid released on bail; lawyer cites COVID health risk. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. On the morning of Jan. 29, 2021, agents arrested Rivera outside his apartment. $22,000), The following eight individuals were arrested: He plans to meet with the city's public safety collective bargaining units and hopes to "think outside-the-box" regarding police department funding.The city has 108 officers in its department, Walsh said, down from 128 a decade ago. It cited the defendants diabetes and other health issues that make him vulnerable to contracting the coronavirus in jail while awaiting trial, according to court records. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. office. We hope that you enjoy our free content. (WHDH) - Eight people were arrested after Quincy police busted a massive drug trafficking organization that had been operating in several communities on the South Shore, officials said. John Reardon said each recent instance of brazen gun violence seems to have been targeted. $384,000 cash operation," Sutter added. Coven pressed Curley for why the two men should be held on high bail, and said that all he heard during Quincy Police Det. Worcester:508-368-0100. You have permission to edit this article. All of them are charged with Cultivation of Marijuana, Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws, Possession of firearm with an FID card, Possession of Ammunition with an FID card, and Possession of a Large Capacity Rifle. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Matos: No timeline to decide on run for Congress, Dave Grohl cooks barbecue for hundreds at shelter, System outage interrupts SNAP benefits, DMV services, 10 vehicles involved in 2 North Kingstown crashes, Brief Evening Snow/Rain Shower; Light Rain Overnight, What time is it on moon? "Guns have a history.". The purpose of this task force is to combine resources and work together for the residents of these communities. access for current print subscribers. Ortiz said the indictment was the result of a 15-month investigation, including the use of "court-authorized wiretaps and the execution of six search warrants.". Try plastic surgery for autographs, Fan brings Olympian Mary Lou Retton to tears, RISPCA has nearly 30 guinea pigs up for adoption, February vacation events around Southern New England, How you can help those affected by Station fire, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Possession with intent to distribute a class B drug, Possession with intent to distribute a class Bdrug, Possession of a firearm without ID (2 counts), Possession of a large capacity weapon or feeding device (two counts), Possession of ammunition without FID card, Possession of a large capacity weapon or feeding device (2 counts). Cyprien's attorney, Patrick Reddington, said he thinks a majority of the charges against his client will be dismissed because prosecutors will not be able to prove intent or knowledge of the illegal substances and activities. ""The investigation was launched as part of the federal response to the heroin epidemic plaguing Massachusetts, and Taunton in particular, which has seen a steep increase in heroin overdose deaths since 2013," according to Ortiz' press release.While Walsh refused, earlier this week, to discuss the cases tied directly to Ortiz' announcement, he and Taunton Mayor Thomas C. Hoye Jr. met Wednesday to discuss gun violence in the city. Between September 2020 and January 2021, Rivera and a co-conspirator engaged in four separate sales of fentanyl to a cooperating witness in Taunton. Police have arrested a Norton man in connection with a double-stabbing in Taunton Sunday morning. violate the drug laws; Peter Perry, 35, of Middleboro, conspiracy The results of [] ATTLEBORO A suspect arrested in a Norton drug raid in August was released from jail Monday after a judge reversed his decision to hold him without bail. Thank you for reading! conspiracy to violate the drug laws, and possession with intent to North Attleboro businessman suing Attleboro cops for $2.8M for 2019 pot arrest, Attleboro-Norton YMCA fires CEO after he allegedly assaults wife, DeSimone pulls off surprise win in Attleboro special mayoral election, New Vietnamese restaurant opens in Foxboro, Tales and trails of the Underground Railroad pass through the Attleboro area. The only statistical spikes the department's crime analysts have detected are tied to heroin overdoses. laws; Meredith Kirby, 26, of Taunton, two counts of conspiracy to Have a question about Government Services? David Linton may be reached at 508-236-0338. of Taunton, charged with 18 counts of conspiracy to violate the BOSTON A member of a prolific and violent North Shore-based drug trafficking organization that manufactured and supplied over 30 kilograms of fentanyl pills was sentenced today in federal court BOSTON Two men from the North Shore have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston in connection with a drug conspiracy involving tens of thousands of counterfeit BOSTON A New Bedford man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for possessing fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine for distribution. New Starbucks line a curiosity, RI lawmakers seek to legalize magic mushrooms, Prov. Support local journalism. TAUNTON, Mass. According to Quincy Police, on Monday, January 11, after a month's long investigation into a Drug Trafficking Organization operating throughout numerous South Shore communities, the Quincy Police Drug Control Unit executed five search warrants, four in Quincy and one in Weymouth. Assistance was also provided by the Braintree and Somerville Police Departments. Learn more. (WPRI) A year-long investigation into an alleged drug-trafficking operation in the area of Taunton and Fall River has resulted in seven people being arrested, the Bristol County District Attorneys Office and Massachusetts State Police announced Wednesday. 35, of Taunton, conspiracy to violate the drug laws; Dana Avelar Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. He said the gun and heroin problems plaguing the city continue far past Taunton's borders. Have something to sell? Police also seized two loaded firearms and a loaded assault rifle that were inside the building. Police found four bags of cocaine, 585 assorted pills, 100 suboxone strips, two bags of methamphetamine, a bag of mushrooms and two large bags of marijuana. All three urged the public not to be afraid. The charges of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Walsh confirmed that the gun used in Tuesday's shooting had been stolen from "another city." We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Of fentanyl to Cruz-Rivera at the city government level, we need to up! Together for the residents of these communities together for the site Inc. | All Rights Reserved to today., two counts of conspiracy to have been targeted john Reardon said each recent of... Said the gun and heroin problems plaguing the city continue far past Taunton borders. 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