Tag:

Fentanyl

Western Mass Man Gave Woman Laced Drugs Leading To Her Overdose: DA Western Mass Man Gave Woman Laced Drugs Leading To Her Overdose: DA
Western Mass Man Gave Woman Laced Drugs Leading To Her Overdose: DA A Westfield man is accused of causing a woman's death after he sold her a drug stronger than fentanyl, but told her it was far less harmful, authorities said.  Christopher Halla, 42, is charged with manslaughter and tampering with evidence in the death of a 57-year-old South Hadley woman in May, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said.  Investigators allege the woman tried to buy oxycodone from Halla, but he gave her a pill laced with metonitazene, a synthetic opioid far more potent than fentanyl. Fentanyl is the leading cause of the opioid overdose epidemi…
Troopers Raid Fentanyl Mill, Drug Den In Chicopee; 1 Suspect Wanted For Murder: Police Troopers Raid Fentanyl Mill, Drug Den In Chicopee; 1 Suspect Wanted For Murder: Police
Troopers Raid Fentanyl Mill, Drug Den In Chicopee; 1 Suspect Wanted For Murder: Police A two-month investigation has uprooted a fentanyl pill mill and drug-dealing operation in Hampden County, authorities announced.  Arlin Radhames Troncoso, 43, and Wanfel Salvador Aristy Alcantara, 28, both of Chicopee, were arrested earlier this week following a raid at two homes — 80 Pine St. and 33 Southwick St., State Police said.  Officers began investigating the duo in January when they were alerted to a fentanyl operation in Chicopee and in other areas of Hampden County.  Police searched 80 Pine Street and found more than two pounds of cocaine and 256 raw grams of…
Mass Man Stabbed Dog To Death With Grill Fork In 'Hideous' Killing: Police Mass Man Stabbed Dog To Death With Grill Fork In 'Hideous' Killing: Police
Mass Man Stabbed Dog To Death With Grill Fork In 'Hideous' Killing: Police A Plymouth County man stabbed his 60-pound Bull-Terrior named Brutus to death with a grill prong after his attempt to poison the animal with fentanyl failed, authorities said.  Jonathan Paluzzi, 44, of Kingston, is charged with multiple counts of felony animal cruelty and possession of a Class A drug (fentanyl), Kingston police said in a Facebook post. He is being held on a "significant bail," the post said.  Officers were called to an apartment complex on Kingston Collection Way around 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, after his neighbor heard screaming, crying, a dog whining,…
Mass Pill Mill Raid: 35 Pounds Of Fentanyl-Laced Fake Tablets Seized Mass Pill Mill Raid: 35 Pounds Of Fentanyl-Laced Fake Tablets Seized
Mass Pill Mill Raid: 35 Pounds Of Fentanyl-Laced Fake Tablets Seized Nearly 35 pounds of fentanyl and methamphetamine-laced fake Adderall and Xanax pills were found during a state police bust of a drug lab in Whitman. Andrew Billings, 39, of Plymouth, was arrested on Dec. 21, 2023, at his workplace, while the makeshift lab and his SUV on Essex Street in Whitman were searched by state police. Troopers found large amounts of white powder, thousands of counterfeit prescription pills, a pharmaceutical-grade pill press, and related drug paraphernalia, police said. “The property was so badly contaminated with strewn drug material, that Troopers evacuated the addr…
$500K Worth Of Guns, $100K In Drugs Found During Raid Of Longmeadow Home: Police $500K Worth Of Guns, $100K In Drugs Found During Raid Of Longmeadow Home: Police
$500K Worth Of Guns, $100K In Drugs Found During Raid Of Longmeadow Home: Police Two men were arrested after police found an arsenal of guns — some illegally manufactured — and more than $100,000 worth of drugs inside a home in Hampden County, authorities said.  Antonio Fusco and Franco Fusco, both of Longmeadow, were the target of a large-scale sting that featured multiple local and federal police agencies, Longmeadow police said on Monday, Dec. 4.  Officers raided their home on Thursday, Nov. 30, and found 625 grams of fentanyl in pill and powder form; 92 grams of powder cocaine with a combined street value of $101,000; a pill press, digital scales, cut…
Officers Shutdown 'Open-Air' Drug Market In Holyoke: Police Officers Shutdown 'Open-Air' Drug Market In Holyoke: Police
Officers Shutdown 'Open-Air' Drug Market In Holyoke: Police Angry neighbors fed up with crime in their neighborhood called police in Hampden County to demand action. Holyoke police created a task force with the FBI and ATF to do just that, and officers and agents were able to shut down a group of alleged drug dealers, authorities announced.  Holyoke police said they received several complaints about drugs from neighbors in the area of Maple Street. As officers began to investigate, they learned there was an "open-air' drug operation being run out of an apartment at 456 Maple St., officials said.  Police raided the apartment and found large…
220 Pounds Of Drugs, Worth $8M, Seized In Mass; 'Largest Seizure' In State History: Feds 220 Pounds Of Drugs, Worth $8M, Seized In Mass; 'Largest Seizure' In State History: Feds
220 Pounds Of Drugs, Worth $8M, Seized In Mass; 'Largest Seizure' In State History: Feds Thousands of fentanyl pills made to look like candy, 20 pounds of cocaine, and more drugs than there are people in Massachusetts. That's what federal investigators laid out on a table Monday, Nov. 6, when they announced what is likely the biggest drug bust in history.  Emilio Garcia, 25, Sebastien Bejin, 33, and Deiby Felix, 40, all of Lynn, were charged with a litany of felonies following their arrests, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  US Attorney's Office Police began investigating the crew following an overdose death in Salem over the summer, investigators said. Officers surve…
Springfield To Berkshire Drug Route: DA Says Conviction Proves Narcotics Trade Springfield To Berkshire Drug Route: DA Says Conviction Proves Narcotics Trade
Springfield To Berkshire Drug Route: DA Says Conviction Proves Narcotics Trade A Western Massachusetts man who pleaded guilty to dealing drugs proves there's a growing amount of drugs moving from Springfield into Berkshire County, the Berkshire district attorney announced following the verdict.  Hampden County resident Quentin Harris, of Springfield, was sentenced on Tuesday, Oct. 24 to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to gun and drug charges following his arrest in August 2022. An investigation into Harris began in August 2022 by the North Adams Police and the Berkshire County Drug Task Force into a potential drug dealing operation being run out …
Man Used Kids Toys, Disney Items, Halloween Decorations To Smuggle Drugs Into Mass: Feds Man Used Kids Toys, Disney Items, Halloween Decorations To Smuggle Drugs Into Mass: Feds
Man Used Kids Toys, Disney Items, Halloween Decorations To Smuggle Drugs Into Mass: Feds A Rhode Island man who pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to move methamphetamines throughout the United States using children's toys and other seemingly mundane items was sentenced to seven years in prison on Tuesday, Sept. 19, authorities said.  Nathan Boddie, 38, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, admitted that he and two others began smuggling methamphetamines, fentanyl, and cocaine from Arizona into Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and elsewhere in April 2022, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  They accomplished this by hiding the drugs inside children's toys, Halloween de…
Man With Third Eye Didn't See Western Mass Police Raid Coming; 3 Busted Following Tips: Cops Man With Third Eye Didn't See Western Mass Police Raid Coming; 3 Busted Following Tips: Cops
Man With Third Eye Didn't See Western Mass Police Raid Coming; 3 Busted Following Tips: Cops Holyoke residents fed up with a suspected open-air drug market alerted police to the operation, which launched a monthslong sting in Hampden County between police and the FBI, authorities said.  Police arrested three people at an apartment at 365 Appleton Street on Wednesday, Sept.6, and seized "significant quantities" of fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine, Holyoke police announced. They also found ammunition inside the home.  Jose Rivera, 39, Emilio Rivera, 36, and Brandy Bellemore, 30, were arrested in the sting that involved FBI agents in Western Massachusetts, police said. T…
Police Chase Ends With Crash in Western Mass, Drug Charges For Wanted Holyoke Man Police Chase Ends With Crash in Western Mass, Drug Charges For Wanted Holyoke Man
Police Chase Ends With Crash in Western Mass, Drug Charges For Wanted Holyoke Man A routine traffic stop in Hampden County became a lot more for a wanted Holyoke man on Tuesday, Aug. 1, after he tried to run from police.  Christopher Caballero, 30, of Holyoke, faces a slew of charges following the chase in Chicopee, authorities said.   Officers first tried to pull over Cabellero's car just before 2:30 p.m. on Front St. when they noticed he didn't have a front license plate, Chicopee police said. But instead of stopping, Caballero floored it.  Caballero led police into Springfield, where he crashed in the parking lot of Liberty Street Plaza. He w…
Neighbors Tip Off Cops About Man Selling More Than Just Snacks At Western Mass Bodega Neighbors Tip Off Cops About Man Selling More Than Just Snacks At Western Mass Bodega
Neighbors Tip Off Cops About Man Selling More Than Just Snacks At Western Mass Bodega A 33-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday, June 14, after neighbors complained he was selling drugs out of a bodega in Hampden County.  Carlos Tejada is charged with trafficking fentanyl — 200 grams or more, Springfield police said. Officers arrested him with than 840 grams of the synthetic opioid, 100 rounds of ammo, $5,500 in cash, and another $1,000 worth of Canadian and Dominican currency, authorities said.  The investigation into Tejada began after people tipped off police to alleged drug deals happening at the Tejada-Gonzalez Market at 21 Locust Street, authorities sa…
Over 200 Grams Of Fentanyl, Heroin Seized From Western Mass Trio: Police Over 200 Grams Of Fentanyl, Heroin Seized From Western Mass Trio: Police
Over 200 Grams Of Fentanyl, Heroin Seized From Western Mass Trio: Police Authorities in Western Massachusetts made a substantial drug bust when they raided an apartment in Springfield and arrested three men this week. Members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit seized a whopping 223 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin on Tuesday, May 2 after searching an apartment on the 100 block of Belmont Avenue, Springfield Police report. Detectives were investigating drug distribution by one of the suspects, Warionex Cabrera-Guzman, which lead them to the arrest of two more suspects, Alvin Cabrera and Jose Quinones. Cabrera-Guzman, age 25, was …
Suspected Fentanyl Trafficker Has Bad Day In Western Mass: Police Suspected Fentanyl Trafficker Has Bad Day In Western Mass: Police
Suspected Fentanyl Trafficker Has Bad Day In Western Mass: Police A suspected drug trafficker had a bad trip last week when police stopped his car and seized pounds worth of fentanyl in Hampden County, authorities said.  Jose Rosado, 34, of Florence, was arrested on March 24, after police found the synthetic opioid during the stop along Route 91 in Holyoke, Massachusetts State Police said on Friday, March 31.  Officers seized 150 half-packages of fentanyl.  Rosado is charged with trafficking an amount of heroin/fentanyl between 100-200 grams.  For context, the DEA says a fatal dose of fentanyl can be as little as two milligrams.…
Drug Trafficking Ring: Man Admits To Selling Cocaine, Fentanyl, Heroin In Central Mass Drug Trafficking Ring: Man Admits To Selling Cocaine, Fentanyl, Heroin In Central Mass
Drug Trafficking Ring: Man Admits To Selling Cocaine, Fentanyl, Heroin In Central Mass A 33-year-old man who admitted to trafficking cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl is the final person convicted in a massive drug ring run out of Worcester County.  Pedro Villot-Santiago, of Fitchburg, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 280 grams or more of crack, and 500 grams or more of cocaine, the US Attorney for  Massachusetts said.  A fatal fentanyl overdose in September 2018 sparked a police investigation that unraveled a massive conspiracy to bring …
Central Mass Drug Ring: 17 People Convicted In Heroin, Fentanyl, Cocaine Trafficking Case: Feds Central Mass Drug Ring: 17 People Convicted In Heroin, Fentanyl, Cocaine Trafficking Case: Feds
Central Mass Drug Ring: 17 People Convicted In Heroin, Fentanyl, Cocaine Trafficking Case: Feds Seventeen people have now admitted or been convicted for their roles in a wide-ranging drug ring that smuggled in heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack to Central Massachusetts, federal authorities said.  Ivan Torres, 32, of Fitchburg, and Abel Rodriguez Rivera, 35, of Ponce, Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (commonly known as crack cocaine), and 500 grams or more of cocaine, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. A judge is set to sentence the duo on Sept. 7.  Tor…
Four Pounds Of Coke, $40K: Police Score Massive Haul Of Drugs, Cash In Raid Four Pounds Of Coke, $40K: Police Score Massive Haul Of Drugs, Cash In Raid
Four Pounds Of Coke, $40K: Police Score Massive Haul Of Drugs, Cash In Raid A major task force made up of more than a dozen police agencies scored a bust worthy of their size this week in Franklin County, authorities said.  It began in December when police and DEA agents raided a home in Greenfield and seized 114 grams of cocaine, 650 bags of heroin/fentanyl mixture, and $113,000, the Greenfield Police Department said.  But one of the men arrested in that raid — who was out on bail — allegedly decided he wasn't done with the drug game. That's why on Monday, March 6, several police officers and federal agents raided him again and found even more, Gree…
CT Man Stabs Victim, Injects Self With Fentanyl, Police Say CT Man Stabs Victim, Injects Self With Fentanyl, Police Say
CT Man Stabs Victim, Injects Self With Fentanyl, Police Say A Connecticut man allegedly stabbed another man and then injected himself with a vial of fentanyl attempting to commit suicide. The incident took place in Hartford County around 10 p.m. Sunday, March 5 at 456 Elm St., in Windsor Locks. Officers responded to the home on a reported stabbing. As they arrived they were informed that the offender, identified as Sean Colgan, age 43, of Windsor Locks, was attempting to overdose on fentanyl and that he would attack police if he were still alive upon their arrival, said Lt. Paul Cerniack. The victim, a 31-year-old came out of the front do…
Salem Social Media Star Ernest Johnson Gets 3 Years Prison Time: Feds Salem Social Media Star Ernest Johnson Gets 3 Years Prison Time: Feds
Salem Social Media Star Ernest Johnson Gets 3 Years Prison Time: Feds A viral social media icon who promoted violence and "flaunted" his arsenal of drugs and guns was sentenced to over three years of prison time, officials say.  Ernest Johnson, who often went by "Yo Pesci" or "Mr. Live Mr. Drive," was involved in a "prolific and violent" North Shore drug trafficking ring that distributed over 500,000 deadly fentanyl pills designed to look like Percocet tablets, according to the District of Massachusetts U.S. Attorney's Office. Johnson, 34, received a sentence of 90 months in prison and three years of supervised release on Monday, Feb. 27, after pleading guilt…
Stealing From Critical Ill Patient: Pittsfield Nurse Who Took Fentanyl Going To Jail, Feds Say Stealing From Critical Ill Patient: Pittsfield Nurse Who Took Fentanyl Going To Jail, Feds Say
Stealing From Critical Ill Patient: Pittsfield Nurse Who Took Fentanyl Going To Jail, Feds Say A 37-year-old Pittsfield nurse who admitted she stole fentanyl from a critically ill patient's IV using a syringe will spend the next three months in federal prison, authorities said.  Jessica Lotto pleaded guilty in May to one count of acquiring a controlled substance by fraud, deceit, or subterfuge, the US Attorney's Office said. A judge sentenced her to three months behind bars on Friday, Feb. 17.  Investigators said Lotto was caring for a critically ill patient at Berkshire Medical Center in 2019 when she siphoned off some of the powerful painkiller. The patient was sedat…
Fentanyl-Laced Drugs Spike Overdoses In Milford: Police Fentanyl-Laced Drugs Spike Overdoses In Milford: Police
Fentanyl-Laced Drugs Spike Overdoses In Milford: Police Milford police are warning residents of fentanyl-laced drugs after more than a half dozen people overdosed on the synthetic opioid there in less than a week. Police said they were aware of cocaine being laced with benzos and fentanyl being sold without the consumer's knowledge. Since Wednesday, Jan. 25, eight people have overdosed on these mixtures.  Related: Man Accused Of Multiple Drug ODs In Milford Arrested: Police "Based on our professional experiences, fentanyl is now in all different types of substances, whether that be cocaine, methamphetamine, fake pills, or vape cartrid…
Duo Nabbed With 2 Kilos Of Fentanyl In Fairfield County, Police Say Duo Nabbed With 2 Kilos Of Fentanyl In Fairfield County, Police Say
Duo Nabbed With 2 Kilos Of Fentanyl In Fairfield County, Police Say Two men were nabbed with more than two kilos of fentanyl after police in Fairfield County received word of a buy going down in the area. The incident took place in Greenwich on Thursday, Jan. 5, in the area of Exit 5 off I-95. The Greenwich Police Department Narcotics Section received information that two men may be traveling to Greenwich from Massachusetts to sell approximately two kilograms of fentanyl, said Capt. Mark Zuccerella of the Greenwich Police. Detectives set up surveillance and located the suspect's vehicle. The detective's surveillance of the vehicle and the two men with…
Springfield Man Can’t Use His Nearly $200K In Movie Money For Bail On Drug Charges: DA Springfield Man Can’t Use His Nearly $200K In Movie Money For Bail On Drug Charges: DA
Springfield Man Can’t Use His Nearly $200K In Movie Money For Bail On Drug Charges: DA Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni this week laid out a literal table full of evidence he said police seized from a 51-year-old Springfield man. It included more than 30 pounds of cocaine, nearly 14,000 fentanyl pills, a pound of raw fentanyl, and almost $200,000 in fake money.  Alonzo Williams faces charges of possession of a firearm without a license, trafficking in fentanyl over 200 grams, trafficking in cocaine over 200 grams, trafficking in cocaine 18-36 grams, and possession to distribute a class A drug, Gulluni's office announced.  Springfield police detectives …
899 Bags Of Fentanyl, Cocaine Found On Group, Including Mass. Man During PA Traffic Stop 899 Bags Of Fentanyl, Cocaine Found On Group, Including Mass. Man During PA Traffic Stop
899 Bags Of Fentanyl, Cocaine Found On Group, Including Mass. Man During PA Traffic Stop A Massuchesetts man, a woman, and two men from Pennsylvania were arrested after a traffic stop led police to discover hundreds of packets of fentanyl and cocaine among other illicit items.  Officers pulled over the group's vehicle in the 300 block of New Holland Avenue in Lancaster City on Monday, Dec. 12 at 10:30 p.m. During a search of the vehicle the police found and seized these items: 899 packets of fentanyl. 33.8 grams of crack and powder cocaine. 46.4 grams of marijuana. Multiple types of drug paraphernalia. One unlawfully possessed handgun. All four people in the car were arr…
Holyoke Man Admits To Working With Violent Mexican Cartel Drug Ring: Feds Holyoke Man Admits To Working With Violent Mexican Cartel Drug Ring: Feds
Holyoke Man Admits To Working With Violent Mexican Cartel Drug Ring: Feds A Holyoke man pleaded guilty to helping a Mexican drug cartel distribute fentanyl throughout Massachusetts, federal authorities said. Police found drugs, money, body armor, and a stockpile of guns when they arrested him last year, officials added.  Josue Rivera Rodriguez, 45, who goes by the nickname Bori, confessed last week to charges of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and two counts of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and…
CT Man Charged After Fentanyl Death Of 1-Year-Old CT Man Charged After Fentanyl Death Of 1-Year-Old
CT Man Charged After Fentanyl Death Of 1-Year-Old A Connecticut man has been charged with alleged criminally negligent homicide in connection with the death of a 1-year-old from a fentanyl overdose. Hartford County resident Lenin Rodriguez, age 30, of Enfield, turned himself in to officers on Wednesday, Nov. 16, said Enfield Police Chief Alaric Fox. The infant's death was uncovered on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, around 5:30 p.m. when Enfield Police responded to North Maple Street, in regard to the untimely death, Fox said.  An investigation included an examination of the victim by the Office of the Chief Medical Examin…
Man Charged After 37-Year-Old Woman Found Dead At CT Residence Man Charged After 37-Year-Old Woman Found Dead At CT Residence
Man Charged After 37-Year-Old Woman Found Dead At CT Residence A Connecticut man has been arrested after a woman was found dead in his apartment and police found a large cache of drugs. New Haven County resident David Edward Vasquez, age 35, of Milford, was arrested on Tuesday, Oct. 11. According to Milford Police, officers and the Milford Fire Department responded to a medical emergency at 5 Schooner Lane, on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Once inside the apartment, officers found a 37-year-old woman from Farmington, dead inside, police said. After a lengthy investigation, Vasquez was arrested and charged with cruelty to persons. Apartment 3L, David E…
CA Woman Who Drove To MA To Deliver Fentanyl Gets Over 4 Years In Prison CA Woman Who Drove To MA To Deliver Fentanyl Gets Over 4 Years In Prison
CA Woman Who Drove To MA To Deliver Fentanyl Gets Over 4 Years In Prison A California woman was sentenced to more than five years in prison for traveling across the country to deliver fentanyl right into the hands of an undercover DEA agent, authorities said. Adelaida Yudit Garibay, age 46, of Burbank, drove from California to Boston to deliver two kilograms of fentanyl in September 2021, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  Garibay was seen picking up the fentanyl in Jamaica Plain before Ubering to the South Bay Mall in Dorchester to complete the transaction, Universal Hub reports. During a subsequent traffic stop, authorities fou…
Two Men In Western Mass Busted With 20,000 Bags of Heroin, Fentanyl: Police Two Men In Western Mass Busted With 20,000 Bags of Heroin, Fentanyl: Police
Two Men In Western Mass Busted With 20,000 Bags of Heroin, Fentanyl: Police Springfield police working alongside Massachusetts State Police and the DEA said they scored a major drug bust over the weekend when they found 20,000 bags of fentanyl and heroin.  Omar Roman, 48, of Springfield, and Luis Robelo, 51, of Bronx, NY, were arrested on Sunday, Oct. 16, and charged with trafficking more than 200 grams of heroin/fentanyl, police said.  The multi-agency task force had staked out a home in the 100 block of Prospect Street when they saw what they believed to be a drug deal happen, Springfield police said. When agents went to arrest the men, Robelo was sitti…
Worcester Police Find 20 Pounds Of Fentanyl In Apartment After Firefighters Kick In Door: Cops Worcester Police Find 20 Pounds Of Fentanyl In Apartment After Firefighters Kick In Door: Cops
Worcester Police Find 20 Pounds Of Fentanyl In Apartment After Firefighters Kick In Door: Cops Police arrested a Worcester man after firefighters kicked in his door while clearing a building earlier this week and found 20 pounds of fentanyl and an unregistered firearm, authorities said.  Joseph Boucher faces charges of trafficking fentanyl, possession of an unregistered gun and unregistered ammo, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and improper storage, Worcester police said.  Worcester firefighters were called to 4 Clement Street on Monday, Oct. 17, to put out a fire, and as they checked to make surer everyone was out of the building, firefighters k…
Fitchburg Man Gets Nearly 2 Years In Prison After Admitting To Role In Drug Ring: DOJ Fitchburg Man Gets Nearly 2 Years In Prison After Admitting To Role In Drug Ring: DOJ
Fitchburg Man Gets Nearly 2 Years In Prison After Admitting To Role In Drug Ring: DOJ A 43-year-old Fitchburg man will spend nearly two years in jail after he pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges, a federal judge ruled.  Kevin Martinez was sentenced to 22 months behind bars followed by six years of supervised release for his role in a large fentanyl, heroin, crack, and cocaine trafficking operation, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts said.  Investigators began looking into Martinez along with Pedro Baez and Anthony Baez, both of Fitchburg, in 2018, the prosecutor said. Detectives learned during the investigation that the three men were part of a …