MAN INVOLVED IN MAJOR DRUG TRAFFICKING OPERATION ARRESTED, ARRAIGNED ON DRUG AND GUN CHARGES

MAN INVOLVED IN MAJOR DRUG TRAFFICKING OPERATION ARRESTED, ARRAIGNED ON DRUG AND GUN CHARGES

Search Warrant Netted the Largest Single Seizure of Illegal Guns by AG Healey’s Office

BOSTON – A man has been arrested and arraigned on 21 separate counts of various drug and gun charges in connection with a major heroin and fentanyl trafficking operation, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today. Today’s charges are the result of the largest single search warrant seizure of illegal guns under AG Healey’s administration.

Jose Cutoen, age 35, of Lawrence, was arraigned in Lawrence District Court this morning on the charges of Improper Storage of a Firearm (seven counts), Possession of a Firearm during a Felony (one count), Possession of a Firearm (seven counts), Possession of Ammunition (one count), Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device (three counts), Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin (one count), Trafficking more than 200 grams of Heroin (one count). Cutoen pleaded not guilty to the charges and was held on $500,000 cash bail. He is due back in Lawrence District Court on Nov. 30 for a probable cause hearing.

Cutoen was arrested Thursday night in Lawrence following the execution of wiretap warrants and a search warrant of his home that resulted in the seizure of seven guns, three large capacity magazine, ammunition, 14 pounds of marijuana, 400 grams of suspected heroin and $5,000 in cash.

Authorities allege Cutoen is part of a major fentanyl trafficking operation that AG Healey’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crime Division has been investigating along with the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, the State Police Transportation Drug Unit, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill and Peabody Police Departments.

Authorities arrested 12 other individuals who are allegedly part of this operation last Friday in a large-scale takedown in Lawrence. They were arraigned in Lawrence District Court on Monday on various drug trafficking charges. Authorities executed search warrants at multiple locations in Haverhill and Lawrence last Friday and seized approximately 600 grams of suspected heroin and fentanyl and $21,000 in cash.

This investigation is ongoing. These charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Gina Kwon, Deputy Chief of AG Healey’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crimes Division. The case is being investigated by State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, the State Police Transportation Drug Unit, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations, and the AG’s Cyber Crime Lab, along with Lowell Police, Haverhill Police, Lawrence Police, and Peabody Police.