BOSTON - Twenty-three people are facing charges of distributing heroin and fentanyl after a series of raids in Fall River, New Bedford, Bridgewater, Boston, Brighton and Providence, R.I.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, along with state and local law enforcement, carried out 12 searches on Tuesday, arresting the alleged leaders of two drug trafficking organizations in Boston and Taunton, plus nearly two dozen lower-level associates.

Fernando Rivera-Rodriguez, 31, of Boston, and Fernando Hernandez, 42, of Providence, R.I., were held following an initial appearance in federal court.

"Today's arrests will help stem the flow of heroin and fentanyl into our communities," said acting U.S. Attorney William D. Weinreb in a statement. "The defendants in this case knew the drugs that they were distributing were potent and potentially lethal, yet they continued to brazenly ignore the dangers and even expand their reach into Maine."

"Those that are suffering from a fentanyl and heroin substance use disorder need treatment and recovery but those that distribute and profit from spreading this poison need to be held accountable," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson.

The following are charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl:

Yeurvs Tejeda and Carlos Gonzalez-Figueroa remain fugitives at large.

"The greater Taunton area has been one of the regions hardest hit by opioid trafficking and overdose deaths," said Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, adding that such operations are "frontal attacks on the hot zones of heroin and fentanyl trafficking."

Prosecutors said a court-approved wiretap revealed the defendants talking about the deadly effects of the drugs they were selling. Fernando Rivera-Rodriguez allegedly told a distributor that "when you see those people being knocked over ... you are going to call me back."

The wiretap also caught Rivera-Rodriguez boasting about robbing two houses and stealing $20,000 in cash, plus valuable jewelry.

Each defendant faces between three and 20 years in prison plus a $1 million fine.