Press Release  Two Lawrence Men Charged With Trafficking Five Kilos of Fentanyl As Part of a Joint State-federal Investigation

Boston — Two Lawrence men have been arrested and arraigned for fentanyl trafficking after authorities seized five kilograms of fentanyl in a joint state and federal investigation, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Antonio Rivera, 28, and Deuris Sierra, 24, were arrested June 7 as a result of a joint operation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Massachusetts State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team (CINRET), the Methuen Police Department and Massachusetts State troopers assigned to the AG’s Office. Authorities arrested Rivera and Sierra and seized five kilograms of fentanyl in connection with a drug enforcement operation.

Rivera and Sierra each pleaded not guilty to Trafficking Fentanyl over 10 grams (one count each) in Lawrence District Court on June 8 and Judge Tejal Mehta set bail at $750,000 cash for each defendant. A probable cause hearing has been set for July 13.  

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

Last week, AG Healey announced that a Lawrence man had been arrested and arraigned on fentanyl trafficking charges as part of a separate ongoing joint state-federal investigation. Investigators seized 535 grams of fentanyl and nearly 60 grams of cocaine during the course of that investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Gina Kwon, Deputy Chief of AG Healey’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crimes Division. The case was investigated by State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, the State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team (CINRET), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with assistance from the Methuen Police Department.

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