Press Release  Lawrence Man Arrested, Arraigned in Connection with Trafficking Heroin into Lawrence and Southern New Hampshire

Lawrence — A Lawrence man has been arrested and arraigned in connection with running a drug trafficking operation that brought heroin into Lawrence and Southern New Hampshire, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Francisco Rodriguez-Benitez, age 29, was arrested Thursday on four counts of Trafficking Heroin and two counts of Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Law. The arrest was the result of a joint operation that began in September 2016 by State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, the State Police Transportation Drug Unit and the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Manchester, New Hampshire District Office.

“We need to work hard on all fronts to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic that is killing five people a day in our state,” said AG Healey. “Our office is going after drug traffickers who pump heroin, pills and fentanyl onto our streets and will continue to work with our state and federal partners to prevent these deadly drugs from getting into the hands of those battling addiction.”

Rodriguez-Benitez was arraigned Friday in Lawrence District Court. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was held on $300,000 bail. He is due back in Lawrence District Court on Dec. 7 for a probable cause hearing.

Authorities began an investigation into an alleged drug trafficking organization they believed was responsible for trafficking heroin into Lawrence and Southern New Hampshire. Authorities arrested Rodriguez-Benitez after observing a drug transaction in Lawrence.

The AG’s Office has been working closely with its federal, state and local partners to combat illegal drug trafficking. AG Healey formed an internal task force to more aggressively combat the heroin and prescription drug abuse crisis in Massachusetts. The AG’s Office is using a multi-faceted approach that includes education for prescribers, pursuing illegal drug traffickers and pill mills, and expanding access to recovery and treatment programs.

The investigation is ongoing. These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Lynn Brennan and Cesar Vega of AG Healey’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crimes Division. The case was investigated by State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police Transportation Drug Unit (TDU), Drug Enforcement Agency’s Manchester, New Hampshire District Office, the Lawrence Police Departments and the AG’s Digital Evidence Lab.

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