Press Release  Haverhill Woman Arraigned in Connection with Trafficking Cocaine Through the Mail

Haverhill — A Haverhill woman has been arraigned in connection with trafficking over 200 grams of cocaine through the mail, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Katherine Ramirez, age 22, of Haverhill, was arraigned this morning in Haverhill District Court on the charges of Trafficking over 200 grams of Cocaine. Ramirez was arrested Wednesday by State Police assigned to the AG’s Office and the State Police Transportation Drug Unit (TDU) with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Haverhill Police and Chelmsford Police.

“We allege this defendant conducted a criminal operation that trafficked close to $1 million worth of cocaine through the mail,” said AG Healey. “We will continue to work with our local and state partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who bring these drugs into our communities and onto our streets.”

At the arraignment, Ramirez pleaded not guilty to the charges. She was held on $1 million cash bail and is due back in Haverhill District Court on Oct. 20 for a probable cause hearing.

State Police assigned to the AG’s Office and the TDU began an investigation into Ramirez after United Parcel Service (UPS) inspectors found two suspicious packages that were addressed to a Haverhill address. The packages were later determined to contain over 200 grams of cocaine, which has an estimated street value of $700,000 to $1 million.

“We will continue to aggressively work with our many law enforcement partners to apprehend those persons who continue to place our citizens in danger by distributing narcotics in the region,” said Haverhill Police Chief Alan R. DeNaro.

 “This is a testament to the success of combined efforts between local law enforcement agencies and state agencies working together to get dangerous drugs off our streets,” said Chelmsford Police Deputy Chief Dan Ahearn.

These are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Cesar Vega with assistance from Assistant Attorney General Gina Kwon, both of AG Healey’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crimes Division. It was investigated by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Attorney General’s Office and the State Police Transportation Drug Unit with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Chelmsford Police and Haverhill Police.

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