‘Hundreds of thousands of potentially lethal doses’: Police seize 24 kilos of heroin, cocaine, fentanyl in Lawrence, Methuen raids

Law enforcement agents in Massachusetts busted a major drug trafficking operation on Wednesday, raiding 14 sites in Methuen and Lawrence and seizing 24 kilos of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine; four guns; and nearly $100,000 in cash.

The agents, working for federal, state and local authorities, arrested 12 people, all residents of Lawrence and Methuen.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said it is the biggest takedown of a major opioid trafficking operation in her office’s history. The trafficking operation was directed by individuals as far away as New Jersey, she said.

“As a result of this operation, we’ve dismantled a major drug trafficking operation in the northeast region of this country,” Healey said.

The drugs that were seized are worth millions of dollars and represent hundreds of thousands of potentially lethal doses, Healey said.

Healey said those arrested worked “up and down the distribution chain.”

Those arrested were: Lawrence residents Ramon Cruz-Gonzalez, 45; Alberto Santana Santos, 36; Jhonny Mota-Rodriguez, 24; Jose Lugo-Garcia, 21; Jason Emery, 43; Cirio Delores Acevedo, 36; Yeltsin De La Cruz, 28; and Raul Martinez, 32; and Methuen residents Israel “Simpson” Santiago Ortiz, 39; Robinson “Papa” Adames Abreu, 52; Omar “Prieto” Acevedo, 37; and Sulerka Mercado, 37.

Mercado was arrested for firearm possession. The rest were charged with some combination of drug charges — generally fentanyl, heroin or cocaine trafficking and conspiracy to violate the Controlled Substance Act. A charge of conspiracy to traffic drugs can carry a state prison sentence of up to 20 years.

The arrests were the culmination of a two-year investigation that involved extensive surveillance and “old school policing,” Healey said. Between 100 and 150 law enforcement agents were involved in Wednesday’s takedown.

Agencies that were involved included the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S Customs and Border Patrol, the Essex Sheriff’s Department and the Massachusetts State Police.

“We hope by reducing the availability of dangerous, deadly drugs, we’re able to spare families and friends the heartache of addiction and the loss of a loved one,” said State Police Col. Kerry Gilpin at a press conference in Healey’s office.

John DeLena, associate special agent in charge for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration New England, said drug traffickers’ only goals is to make money, regardless of the safety of those they sell to.

“Illegal drug distribution ravages the very foundations of our families and communities,” DeLena said. “Every time we take fentanyl off the streets, it saves lives.”