Press Release  Two Men Arrested, Arraigned in Connection with Heroin Trafficking Operation in Haverhill

HAVERHILL — Two men have been arrested and arraigned in connection with running a heroin trafficking operation that was allegedly responsible for bringing at least 250 grams of the deadly drug onto the streets of the Merrimack Valley, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Francis Leroy Fernandez, age 33, of Haverhill, and Hector Ocasio, age 27, of Lawrence, were arrested Wednesday night in a joint operation involving Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Attorney General’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police Transportation Drug Unit (TDU), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Haverhill Police Department.

“The opioid epidemic caused 2,000 deaths in Massachusetts last year – the highest number ever recorded in our state,” said AG Healey. “We allege These defendants were bringing this deadly drug on to the streets of Haverhill. We continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to combat the trafficking of this lethal drug and keep it out of the hands of those already battling addiction.”

“The Haverhill Police Department is extremely pleased and proud of the hard working men and women who contributed to this successful investigation, and we will continue to join efforts with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and our other law enforcement partners in reducing the availability of this deadly drug in our community,” said Haverhill Detective Lieutenant Robert Pistone.

Fernandez and Ocasio were arraigned Thursday morning in Haverhill District Court on the charge of Trafficking Heroin. Fernandez was charged with four counts and Ocasio was charged with one count.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Both defendants were held on $100,000 cash bail. Fernandez and Ocasio have a probable cause hearing scheduled for March 20 in Haverhill District Court.

In January 2017, authorities began an investigation into an alleged drug trafficking operation they believed was responsible for distributing drugs in Haverhill.

Authorities allege that Ocasio was supplying Fernandez with heroin and Fernandez in turn was selling the drug on the streets of Haverhill.  Authorities arrested the two defendants Wednesday night after observing them arrange for the distribution of approximately 250 grams of heroin through sales in Haverhill.

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 Lynn Brennan with assistance from Assistant Attorney General Cesar Vega, both 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 Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Haverhill Police Department and the AG’s Digital Evidence Lab.

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