MANCHESTER, NH – Two people were arrested — one in Massachusetts and the other at a Chestnut Street address — Wednesday in connection with a heroin/fentanyl and cocaine trafficking operation in Lynn and Lawrence. The arrests were part of a joint multi-state drug investigation by federal and state law enforcement in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Authorities seized 750 grams of cocaine and 225 grams of heroin/fentanyl.
At approximately 6 a.m on July 18 members of the Manchester Police Department along with the Massachusetts Attorney Generals Office, Massachusetts State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration concluded an investigation into a drug trafficking organization, which culminated in a search of 363 Chestnut St.
Inside officers located and arrested Edwin Rivera, 51, of Lynn. He was charged as a fugitive from justice out of Mass. with an original charge of conspiracy to violate Mass. drug laws. Rivera is scheduled to appear in the 9th Circuit court-Manchester on July 19, 2018, and be extradited to Massachusetts to face charges at a later date.
Jassiel Manuel Castillo, 45, of Lawrence, Mass., was arrested in Lawrence and was charged with conspiracy to violate drug laws (one count) in Lynn District Court. Judge Michael Patten set bail at $75,000 and set a probable cause date for August 16.
These charges are the result of an investigation involving Mass. Attorney General Maura Healey’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crime Division, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team (CINRET) and the AG’s Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Lynn Police Department, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office and the Manchester Police Department.
The investigation revealed that Rivera and Castillo were part of a heroin/fentanyl and cocaine trafficking operation throughout Massachusetts. Castillo is alleged to have delivered kilo-quantity levels of heroin/fentanyl and cocaine on behalf of Rivera. Rivera allegedly maintained a stash house in Lynn, where he stored narcotics and proceeds from drug distribution, and operated a commercial business at the Chestnut Street address in Manchester, where he was arrested Wednesday.
This investigation is ongoing. These charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Healey’s Office has been working closely with its federal, state and local partners to combat illegal drug trafficking. AG Healey formed an internal task force to more aggressively combat the heroin and prescription drug abuse crisis in Massachusetts. The AG’s Office is using a multi-faceted approach that includes education for prescribers, pursuing illegal drug traffickers and pill mills, and expanding access to recovery and treatment programs.
This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Chief and Assistant Attorney General Gina Kwon and Assistant Attorney General Megan McLaughlin of the AG’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crimes Division. The case is being investigated by and was a collaborative effort between AG Healey’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crime Division, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team (CINRET) and the AG’s Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Lynn Police Department, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office and the Manchester Police Department.
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