Bristol County Operation Busts Massive Fentanyl Dealing Ring
Nearly 2,000 grams of fentanyl and other drugs worth an estimated $350,000 have been seized in a large-scale drugs bust in Bristol County following a year-long investigation.
The Bristol County District Attorney's Office and state police said the multi-jurisdictional "Operation Shore Thing" investigated a narcotics trafficking operation in and around Taunton and Fall River.
It resulted in the seizure of around 1,950 grams of fentanyl, 4,310 oxycodone tablets, and 51 grams of crack cocaine, along with two illegal firearms and $75,000 in cash, according to the D.A.'s office.
A state police-led interstate narcotics task force called CINRET and Bristol County prosecutors investigated the drug trafficking ring for over a year.
According to the D.A.'s office, the organization was suspected of dealing opioids throughout Bristol County and the SouthCoast region at both street and mid-level.
Covert surveillance and evidence gathering led to the arrest of six suspects and searches at four locations in Taunton and Fall River in an operation on April 27.
Multiple state police units and Taunton, Fall River, and Somerset police took part in the operation.
Afterwards, investigators identified an address in Lawrence as the organization's primary source of oxycodone.
Authorities later nabbed the suspected oxycodone supplier at the Lawrence home on May 3.
"I’m very pleased this investigation, in collaboration with the CINRET Unit of the state police and others, resulted in the dismantling of a large scale fentanyl distribution ring that was connected to a number of communities in our county," District Attorney Thomas Quinn III said.
"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," he noted.
"We will continue to investigate these drug organizations and hold people accountable for contributing to the ongoing addiction problems in our communities."
Massachusetts State Police Superintendent Colonel Christopher Mason commented: “Operation Shore Thing leaves us sure of one very big thing — southeastern Massachusetts is safer today than it was before, thanks to the tenacious work of state troopers, police officers, federal agents, and prosecutors."
"Through their efforts, a heavy volume of illegal narcotics that fuel pain, death, and addiction were taken out of circulation, and the crew who profited from the misery that their product inflicted on others now face justice," he added.
The following people were arrested and charged with multiple drug trafficking, possession, and conspiracy offenses:
Christopher McLaughlin, 40, of 56 Saint Joseph Street, Apt. 302, Fall River
Casey Ruby, 34, of 62 Shores Street, Apt. 1, Taunton (also charged with multiple illegal firearms offenses)
Joshua Nazario, 31, of 62 Shores Street, Apt. 1, Taunton (also charged with multiple illegal firearms offenses)
Eddyberto Mejia, 28, of 46 Cottage Street, Taunton
Eusebio Andrade, 39, of 1205 Cohannet Street, Taunton
Corey Robeiro, 32, of 68 Wales Street, Apt. 2, Taunton
Rocio Taveras, 48 of 64 Nesmith Street, Lawrence
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