Press Release  Alleged Leader of Essex County Drug Distribution Network Arrested, Arraigned

Lynn — The alleged leader of an drug distribution network in Essex County has been arrested and arraigned on charges of cocaine trafficking and possession of oxycodone and heroin, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Calvin Harris, age 42, of Lynn, was arrested on Thursday by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office and the Lynn Police Department and charged with Trafficking in Cocaine over 18 grams, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Substance (Oxycodone), and Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin.

Harris was arraigned today in Lynn District Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges and bail was set at $5,000 cash. He is due back in court on July 23 for a probable cause hearing.

“The heroin and prescription drug crisis is devastating communities and families across the Commonwealth,” AG Healey said. “Our office is dedicated to combatting this epidemic on all fronts, including going after those who put these deadly drugs on our streets.”

The AG’s Office began an investigation in November 2014 in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

“The DEA in New England is committed to investigating and bringing to justice those who divert and traffic Oxycodone,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “Opiate abuse is a major problem in Massachusetts and throughout New England. 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.”

Authorities arrested Harris on Thursday in Lynn. Authorities executed a search warrant at his Lynn residence on Wednesday and seized crack cocaine, oxycodone pills, and heroin, as well as cash and a drug scale. Authorities allege that Harris is the leader of an extensive drug distribution network in Essex County that obtains and sells these drugs.

The AG’s Office discovered Harris’s alleged illegal activities through their 2013 investigation into Vincent Leo, who earlier this month was sentenced to four-and-a-half to five years in state prison in connection with a prescription fraud scheme to obtain and sell thousands of oxycodone pills.

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

Shortly before taking office, Attorney General Maura Healey announced the formation of an internal AG’s task force to more aggressively combat the heroin and prescription drug abuse crisis in Massachusetts.

A recent report from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health estimates that more than 1,000 people died from overdoses of heroin and opioids in 2014 in Massachusetts, which is a 33 percent increase from 2012.

AG Healey has vowed to use a multi-faceted approach to educate prescribers, pursue illegal drug traffickers and pill mills, and expand access to recovery and treatment programs.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Gina Kwon, of AG Healey’s Enterprise and Major Crimes Division, with assistance from State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Lynn Police Department.

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