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May 23, 2018 Meggie Quackenbush

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13 ARRESTED IN JOINT STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL TAKEDOWN OF MAJOR OPIOID TRAFFICKING OPERATION ON NORTH SHORE

Authorities seize nearly 2.6 kilograms of heroin/fentanyl, 3,000 pills and $415,000 in total

BOSTON – Thirteen people were arrested and 12 were arraigned yesterday in connection with a major heroin/fentanyl and oxycodone trafficking operation on Boston’s North Shore dismantled as part of a large-scale joint takedown by federal, state and local law enforcement, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today. Authorities seized nearly 2.5 kilograms of heroin/fentanyl, 1,900 pills and $415,000 in cash during yesterday’s takedown, and an additional 95 grams of fentanyl and 1,100 pills during the course of the investigation.

These charges are the result of an extensive investigation involving AG Healey’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crime Division, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team (CINRET) and the AG’s Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Lynn, Beverly, Danvers and Peabody Police Departments.

“Heroin, fentanyl and oxycodone continue to cause hundreds of deadly overdoses across our state each year,” AG Healey said. “My office is committed to working with our partners in law enforcement to disrupt the trafficking networks that distribute these drugs onto our streets and into our communities.”

“Operations such as this one significantly degrade capabilities of local narcotics trafficking organizations,” said Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police. “I especially recognize the work of our State Police detective units, including those attached to our new Homeland Security Division, for working with local police to do the hard work and heavy lifting of building a solid case.”

“The DEA in New England is committed to investigating and bringing to justice those who illicitly distribute oxycodone,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Opiate abuse is a major problem in Massachusetts and throughout New England. The diversion of prescription pain killers, in this case oxycodone, contributes to the widespread abuse of opiates, is the gateway to fentanyl and heroin addiction, and is devastating our communities. DEA and our law enforcement partners are dedicated to stopping this abuse. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts in Massachusetts and our strong partnership with Attorney General Healey’s Office.”

“The Lynn Police Department will continue to work with other agencies to bring an end to the opioid epidemic,” said Lynn Police Lt. Michael Kmiec.

“I would like to praise the members of the Beverly Police Drug Control Unit and all of the agencies involved in this collaborative investigation. It shows a dedication and determination to combat the opiate epidemic throughout the Commonwealth and especially on the North Shore,” Beverly Police Chief John LeLacheur said.

“I appreciate the hard work of all of our partners in law enforcement and in particular, the ongoing efforts of Danvers Detective Tim Williamson,” said Danvers Police Chief Patrick Ambrose. “All agencies involved continue to work together to eliminate illegal drug distribution in Danvers and the related addiction problems these sales create. These dealers negatively impact the quality of life in Danvers and surrounding communities, we are committed to disrupting their operations.”

“We appreciate the team effort of the Massachusetts State Police and our local law enforcement partners working together to slow the flow of opiates in the North Shore area,” said Peabody Police Lt. William J. Cook. “These combined efforts will assist us in dealing with our current crisis in opiate related overdoses. Our shared resources and information assists us in combating this problem.”

The following individuals were arraigned in Peabody District Court yesterday on the following changes:

Lymbel Guerrero, 28, of Peabody

Trafficking Heroin, 200 Grams or More (one count)

Trafficking Cocaine, 36 Grams or More (one count)

Trafficking Oxycodone, 18 Grams of More but Less Than 36 Grams (one count)

Bail set at $500,000 cash

Aggeliki Iliopoulos, 27, of Peabody

Trafficking Heroin, 200 Grams or More (one count)

Trafficking Cocaine, 36 Grams or More (one count)

Trafficking Oxycodone, 18 Grams of More but Less Than 36 Grams (one count)

Bail set at $500,000 cash

Anthony Lavacca, 28, of Peabody

Possession with Intent to Distribute, Marijuana (one count)

Bail set at on $50,000 cash

Randy Suarez, 30, of Peabody

Charged with Trafficking Heroin, 200 Grams or More (one count)

Possession with Intent to Distribute Oxycodone (one count)

Bail set at $500,000 cash

The following individuals were arraigned in Lynn District Court yesterday on the following charges:

Frantz Adolphe, 23, of Lynn

Charged with Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws (one count)

Trafficking Oxycodone, More Than 100 Grams but Less Than 200 Grams (one count) Bail set at $500,000 cash

Jason Desantis, 24, of Malden

Charged with Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws (one count)

Bail set at $5,000 cash

Erin Driscoll, 32, of Peabody

Charged with Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws (one count)

Bail set at $7,000 cash

Richard Grullon-Santos, 25, of Lynn

Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws (one count)

Trafficking Fentanyl, More Than 10 Grams

Bail set at $500,000 bail cash

Gregory Inuyama, 27, of Lynn

Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws (one count)

Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug (one count)

Bail set at $60,000 cash

Rajner Llanaj, 29, of Salem

Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws (one count)

Bail set at $10,000 cash

Jose Luque Jr., 25, of Lynn

Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws (one count)

Bail set at $2,500 cash

Nelson Mora, 25, of Lynn

Charged with Trafficking Oxycodone, 36 Grams or More but Less Than 100 Grams (one count)

Trafficking Fentanyl (four counts)

Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws (one count)

Bail set at $500,000 cash

Erick Delrosario, 26, of Kearny, New Jersey, was also arrested in connection with this investigation and will be arraigned in Massachusetts at a later date.

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

AG Healey’s Office has been working closely with its federal, state and local partners to combat illegal drug trafficking. AG Healey formed an internal task force to more aggressively combat the heroin and prescription drug abuse crisis in Massachusetts. The AG’s Office is using a multi-faceted approach that includes education for prescribers, pursuing illegal drug traffickers and pill mills, and expanding access to recovery and treatment programs.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Gina Masotta and Assistant Attorney General Cesar Vega of the AG’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crimes Division. The case is being investigated by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the CINRET and AG Healey’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crime Division, the DEA, the Lynn, Beverly, Danvers and Peabody Police Departments, and AG Healey’s Digital Evidence Lab.

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