Press Release  Two Arrested, Arraigned in Connection with Lawrence Drug Trafficking Operation

Lawrence — Two men have been arrested and arraigned in connection with running a heroin and cocaine trafficking operation out of Lawrence, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Jose Nogue-Resto a.k.a. “Tony”, age 38, of Lawrence, and Regla Santana, 48, were arrested Wednesday in a joint operation involving Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Attorney General’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police Transportation Drug Unit (TDU), with assistance from the New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (NEHIDTA) and the Lawrence Police Department.

“We allege that these two defendants ran a drug trafficking operation that was responsible for bringing heroin and cocaine onto the streets of Lawrence,” said AG Healey. “We will continue to work with our local, state and federal partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who traffic lethal drugs.”

The defendants were arraigned Thursday in Lawrence District Court. Nogue-Resto was arraigned on one count each of Trafficking in Heroin over 200 Grams, Trafficking in Cocaine over 18 Grams and counts of Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act. Santana was arraigned on one count each of Trafficking in Heroin over 100 Grams, Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act and Providing a False Name at Arrest. They both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Nogue-Resto was ordered held without bail until May 9, when he is due back in Lawrence District Court for a probable cause hearing. Santana was ordered held on $200,000 bail and is due back in Lawrence District Court on May 25 for a probable cause hearing.

In February 2016, State Police began an investigation into an alleged drug trafficking organization they believed was responsible for distributing heroin in Lawrence.

After arresting the two men Wednesday, authorities executed a search warrant for a Lawrence house where the defendants were allegedly selling the drugs. Authorities seized approximately 250 grams of heroin, 50 grams of cocaine, approximately seven pounds of narcotic mixing cut and materials known to be associated with drug packaging and distribution.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Megan McLaughlin of AG Healey’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crimes Division, with assistance from State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police Transportation Drug Unit (TDU), the New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (NEHIDTA), the Lawrence Police Departments and the AG’s Digital Evidence Lab.

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