Authorities Bust MA Drug Trafficking Ring; 7 Charged: Police

FALL RIVER, MA —Seven Massachusetts residents are facing multiple charges after a yearlong investigation by state police and officials ended in the seizure of illegal firearms, thousands of dollars in cash, and drugs including fentanyl, oxycodone, and crack cocaine.

The arrests are the result of "Operation Shore Thing," a multi-jurisdictional investigation into a narcotics trafficking ring based out of Bristol County, according to Massachusetts State Police.

On April 27, state police and other law enforcement agencies arrested six people after executing search warrants at four locations in Taunton and Fall River, authorities said. Police then identified the person responsible for supplying oxycodone and arrested them at their home.

In all, the investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately 1,950 grams of fentanyl, 4,310 oxycodone tablets, 51 grams of crack cocaine, two illegal firearms and $75,000 in cash, police said.

"Operation Shore Thing leaves us sure of one very big thing — southeastern Massachusetts is safer today than it was before, thanks to the tenacious work of state troopers, police officers, federal agents, and prosecutors," Colonel Christopher Mason of the Massachusetts State Police said in a statement.

According to police, the following individuals were arrested:

• Christopher McLaughlin, 40, Fall River
• Casey Ruby, 34, Taunton
• Joshua Nazario, 31, Taunton
• Eddyberto Mejia, 28, Taunton
• Eusebio Andrade, 39, Taunton
• Cory Robeiro, 32, Taunton
• Rocio Taveras, 48, Lawrence

See a full list of charges for each person.