Press Release  Methuen Man Indicted, Arraigned on Drug Trafficking Charges; Investigators Recovered Firearms, Narcotics and $1 Million in Cash at Time of Arrest

Boston — A Methuen man was arraigned in Essex County Court on Friday in connection with a large narcotics trafficking operation in Methuen that was dismantled as part of a joint takedown by federal, state and local law enforcement, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Andre Lopez-Gomez, 42, pleaded not guilty in Essex Superior Court to the charges of Trafficking Heroin 18 to 36 grams, Trafficking Fentanyl, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Use of a Firearm During a Felony, Money Laundering and Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substances Act (one count each).

In a joint operation between the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, the State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team (CINRET) and the Methuen Police Department, investigators arrested Lopez-Gomez in May 2017. Investigators recovered two firearms, ammunition, heroin, fentanyl, marijuana, tools for drug distribution and a large amount of bundled U.S. currency later determined to total nearly $1 million. Subsequent examination of the narcotics confirmed seizure of more than 90 grams of fentanyl, more than 20 grams of heroin and approximately 33 pounds of marijuana.

Lopez-Gomez pleaded not guilty to the charges on Friday and presiding judge Thomas Drechsler set bail at $250,000 cash. The defendant is being returned to the custody of U.S. Marshals in New Hampshire, where he is being held on a pending federal case. A pre-trial hearing for Lopez-Gomez has been set for June 26. 

These charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Stephen Carley of the AG’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crimes Division, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Massachusetts State Police, CINRET and the Methuen Police Department.

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