Meth, Fentanyl Trafficking In Waltham: Grand Jury Indictments

WALTHAM, MA — District Attorney announced three Waltham related indictments handed down by the Grand Jury between January 17 and April 29, 2019. All three had to do with drugs. The announcement comes after data released by the Massachusetts public health data released Wednesday indicates deaths involving fentanyl and cocaine continue to rise in the state.

Fentanyl: James Case, 49, was charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, subsequent offense, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, subsequent offense, and being a habitual criminal. The Assistant District Attorney is Jacob McCrindle. Read what he was last indicted on>> Heroin, Fentanyl Trafficking In Waltham

Meth: Louis Jeremie, 28, of Waltham, was charged with trafficking over 200 grams of methamphetamine, trafficking over 36 grams of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance, subsequent offense, possession of a Class A substance (2 counts), subsequent offense, possession of a Class B substance (2 counts), subsequent offense, and possession of a Class E substance (6 counts). The Assistant District Attorney is Jacob McCrindle.

Heroine, Cocaine: Hector Romero-Arias, 42, of Boston, was charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine, distribution of a Class A substance, trafficking over 36 grams of cocaine, and trafficking over 10 grams of fentanyl. He was arrested on April 27, 2018 in Waltham. The Assistant District Attorney is Jacob McCrindle.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health data released this month, since 2014, the rate of heroin or likely heroin present in opioid-related overdose deaths has been decreasing while the presence of fentanyl and cocaine is still trending upward.

Among the 1,902 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2018 where a toxicology screen was also available, 1,695 of them (89%) had a positive screen result for fentanyl. In the fourth quarter of 2018, heroin or likely heroin was present in approximately 32% of opioid-related overdose deaths that had a toxicology screen. Cocaine was present in approximately 39% of these deaths and benzodiazepines were present in approximately 40%

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Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).