1 Charged After Running Drug Business Out Of Framingham Car Shop: DA

FRAMINGHAM, MA — A Massachusetts man faces multiple drug charges — and the seizure of his luxury car — after officials said he sold drugs out of a Framingham auto body shop.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan announced that Wilber Soto Rivera, 39, of Clinton, has been arraigned in Framingham District Court on charges of trafficking in cocaine, over 200 grams; trafficking in fentanyl, over 36 grams; possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony; improper storage of a firearm and leaving ammunition unattended.

He is being held without bail following a dangerousness hearing.

On March 31, the Massachusetts State Police, with assistance from the MetroWest Drug Task Force, executed search warrants at an autobody shop in Framingham and a residence in Clinton.

Police seized approximately 2,355 grams of cocaine, 60 grams of crack cocaine, 85 grams of fentanyl, a mechanical press alleged to be used in packaging fentanyl into “fingers,” the units by which it is often sold or distributed, a firearm and ammunition from the business in Framingham.

Approximately 4,500 additional grams of powder substances were seized which are pending analysis to determine what they contain. Over $160,000 in cash was seized from a residence alleged to belong to Soto Rivera, along with two vehicles. One of those vehicles was a McLaren MP412C, a luxury car that can retail for up to $230,000 new, officials said.

"In this case investigators seized, among other things, a large quantity of dangerous narcotics, a press for packaging, a substantial amount of cash, a gun and a luxury car," said Ryan.

These are alleged to all be the product and proceeds of a drug operation. It is alleged that the defendant was using the shop as a cover for the drug business. The success of that 'business' is reflected in the amount of cash and the McLaren. We are committed to working collaboratively to disrupt these enterprises which put deadly substances on the street and, because of the efforts to protect the proceeds with firearms, put the community at risk."