網頁

星期三, 2月 17, 2016

NORTH ANDOVER MAN ARRESTED, ARRAIGNED IN CONNECTION WITH TRAFFICKING HEROIN

NORTH ANDOVER MAN ARRESTED, ARRAIGNED IN CONNECTION WITH TRAFFICKING HEROIN

LAWRENCE – A North Andover man has been arrested and arraigned in connection with selling heroin and cocaine in Lawrence, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.
Rodolfo Soto, age 22, of North Andover, was arrested Tuesday night in Lawrence by State Police assigned to the AG’s Office and State Police assigned to the Transportation Drug Unit.
Soto was charged with Trafficking Heroin over 36 grams (one count), Trafficking Heroin over 18 grams (two counts), Distribution of a Class A Substance (heroin) (one count), Distribution of a Class B Substance (cocaine) (one count), Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (one count), Receiving Stolen Property over $250 (one count), School Zone Violation (three counts) and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (one count).
Soto was arraigned today in Lawrence District Court where he pleaded not guilty to the charges and bail was set at $500,000. He is due back in court on March 25 for a probable cause hearing.
“The heroin and opioid epidemic is devastating families and communities across our state,” said AG Healey. “We are losing four people a day to this crisis. Our office is committed to combating this epidemic on all fronts including going after those who put these deadly drugs on our streets.”
Authorities allege that Soto attempted to sell over 36 grams of heroin and cocaine to an undercover state trooper in Lawrence on Tuesday. Authorities executed a search warrant later that day at a North Andover apartment and on Soto’s car and seized over 18 grams of heroin, 10 grams of cocaine, and a gun, which was determined to be stolen from New Hampshire.
State Police assigned to the AG’s Office began an investigation into Soto in December 2015 with assistance from State Police troopers assigned to the Transportation Drug Unit and troopers assigned to the Firearms Licensing and Trafficking Unit.
This investigation is ongoing. These charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
In June, the AG’s Office indicted Jose Casellas in connection with running a major drug trafficking operation in the Lawrence area. Casellas was charged with Trafficking over 200 Grams (Habitual Offender), Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl (Habitual Offender), Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (3 counts) and Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number.
Shortly before taking office, AG Healey announced the formation of an internal task force to more aggressively combat the heroin and prescription drug abuse crisis in Massachusetts. AG Healeyhas vowed to use a multi-faceted approach to educate prescribers, pursue illegal drug traffickers and pill mills, and expand access to recovery and treatment programs.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Gina Kwon, of AG Healey’s Enterprise and Major Crimes Division, with assistance from State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, State Police assigned to the Transportation Drug Unit and the Firearms Licensing and Trafficking Unit.

沒有留言: