Brockton's 'Head Shot Mafia' Fugitive Arrested

BOSTON — Police have arrested a member of the Head Shot Mafia drug crew who has been a fugitive since being charged with fentanyl trafficking in Brockton. Jason Miranda, 24, of Taunton, was apprehended last week. He and three Brockton residents — Placido Armando Pereira, 33, Natalio Miranda, 28, and Djoy Defrancesco, 23 — are charged with running a fentanyl delivery service in Brockton and neighboring communities.

All four men are being charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess fentanyl with intent to distribute. Last week, police seized fentanyl, a firearm and $28,000 in cash when they searched a home where Jason Miranda was located, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors say that the four men ran a fentanyl delivery service, in which customers placed orders for the drug by contacting a cellphone maintained and shared by members of Head Shot Mafia, or HSM. Then, they worked together to delivery the drug, according to prosecutors.

In September, an undercover officer made six purchases of the drug, which led to the charges against Pereira, Defrancesco, Jason Miranda and Natalio Miranda.

Pereira, Defrancesco and Natalio Miranda were arrested earlier this month.