Stoughton Man Arrested for Smuggling Drugs into Jail

The following is from the office of Norfolk County District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey:

A 26-year-old Stoughton man has been arrested and charged with allegedly smuggling drugs into the Norfolk County House of Correction in Dedham by mailing envelopes doctored to appear as if they came from area law firms to avoid detection, according to Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey.

“Sheriff Mike Bellotti contacted us last month to begin a joint investigation based on information that his department had developed,” District Attorney Morrissey said.

“With their partnership, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to our drug unit executed a search warrant [Tuesday] afternoon on a package that had arrived at the facility. Evidence they gathered provided probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant.”

Robert John Hanrahan, of 17 Pinetree Road in Stoughton, will be arraigned in the Stoughton District Court Wednesday morning on the following charges:

• Possession with intent to distribute a Class “B” substance (Suboxone)

• Conspiracy to violate Controlled Substance Act 

• Delivering or procuring to deliver contraband into a prison

Officers from the Stoughton Police Department participated in arresting Hanrahan at the Stoughton home of a friend. He was arrested without incident and was held over night at the Stoughton Police Department.

The maximum penalty on the smuggling charge is five years in state prison, according to Morrissey.

"I want to commend District Attorney Morrissey's office and the Stoughton Police for working with us to keep this dangerous contraband out of the jail," Sheriff Michael G. Bellotti said following the arrest.

Authorities said 29 ½ strips of what is believed to be Suboxone were recovered; that quantity might have an estimated street value of $1,000, but a potential value of several times that inside a prison.

Bellotti and Morrissey said the investigation is continuing.