- Office of Attorney General Maura Healey
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Chloe Gotsis
Lawrence — Two individuals have been arrested and arraigned in connection with a joint federal and state investigation into a fentanyl and heroin trafficking network in Lawrence, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.
Authorities arrested Waldemar Ortiz-Jacome, a.k.a. Jonathan Guerrero, age 33, and Jose Guerrero-Soto, age 24, both of Lawrence, on Thursday in Lawrence in a joint operation conducted by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, the State Police Transportation Drug Unit, the Drug Enforcement Agency and Homeland Security Investigations.
They were arraigned Friday morning in Lawrence District Court. Ortiz-Jacome was arraigned on one count of trafficking more than 200 grams of heroin and one count of trafficking fentanyl. Guerrero-Soto was arraigned on one count of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of heroin. They were both charged with one count each of conspiracy, possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition and improper storage of a firearm.
Ortiz-Jacome was held on $500,000 cash bail and Guerrero-Soto was held on $1,000 cash bail. They are due back in Lawrence District Court on Oct.4 for a probable cause hearing.
“The opioid epidemic is continuing to plague communities across our state,” said AG Healey. “We are committed to working with our state, federal and local partners to go after these criminal networks that bring these deadly drugs into our communities and into the hands of those battling with addiction.”
“Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels in Massachusetts and across the North East,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. "Fentanyl and heroin are causing deaths across the Commonwealth in record numbers and DEA is committed to aggressively pursue drug trafficking organizations and individuals who distribute these poisons in order to profit and destroy people's lives. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts in Massachusetts and our strong partnership with Attorney General Healey's office.”
“Fentanyl and other deadly opioids continue to claim far too many American lives,” said HSI Boston Special Agent in Charge Matthew Etre. “HSI and our partners are proud to be at the forefront of combating these dangerous drugs and ridding the community of the individuals who distribute this poison.”
Authorities began investigating this criminal network that was allegedly distributing drugs in Lawrence in August 2017.
Ortiz-Jacome was arrested as he was attempting to sell one kilogram of fentanyl and two kilograms of heroin in Lawrence on Thursday. Authorities later located and arrested Guerrero-Soto at Ortiz-Jacome’s apartment in Lawrence. Authorities found Guerrero-Soto with cocaine and heroin in his possession.
During the execution of a search warrant at a stash house, authorities located a handgun, ammunition, approximately 1,500 grams of a fentanyl and heroin mixture, kilogram presses, finger presses and materials used for the sale and distribution of drugs. Authorities simultaneously executed a second search warrant at Ortiz-Jacome’s residence, where they located a handgun and a large capacity magazine.
This investigation is ongoing. These charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Cesar Vega, of AG Healey’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crimes Division with Assistant Attorney General Gina Kwon, Deputy Chief of AG Healey’s Enterprise and Major and Cyber Crimes Division, with assistance from State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police Transportation Drug Unit, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and Homeland Security Investigations.
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