LAWRENCE LAUDS RAID

Officials: Citizens breathing easier

A Lawrence city councilor says his community has been reclaimed by lawful residents thanks to a large-scale raid that authorities say broke up the Bay State’s biggest fentanyl ring and led to the arrests of 30 suspects.

“Lawrence residents have been feeling the effects of the fentanyl trade for some time. So these arrests are well-received and welcomed,” City Councilor Marc Laplante told the Herald. “Getting these dealers off our streets will help return our neighborhoods back to our lawful residents who simply want to live their lives free from the problems the drug trade perpetuates. A big ‘thank you’ to all the law enforcement involved in this operation.”

Authorities on Tuesday announced a drug sweep in Lawrence and the Merrimack Valley based on 30 federal indictments on drug trafficking, gun and immigration offenses and took more than 2 kilograms of fentanyl off the streets.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced yesterday that 12 of the 30 indicted suspects were in the country illegally. Suspect Santo Ruiz Nivir was arrested yesterday on charges including conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine. Two other suspects, Luis Perez Tomassini and Santo Marino Nivar-Tejeda, were fugitives as of yesterday afternoon, federal authorities said.

The sophisticated drug network was led by Juan Anibal Patrone, 26, of Lawrence. The drug ring moved fentanyl, heroin and cocaine throughout the Merrimack Valley and had a reach that extended into New Hampshire and Maine, officials said.

The yearlong investigation — dubbed “Operation Bad Company” — utilized wiretaps and caught two defendants joking about the deadly fentanyl they were pushing. Patrone was heard on the wire making references to buying multiple properties in the Dominican Republic and how he wanted out of the drug trade.

Patrone, who was said to legally be in the U.S., also held dual citizenship in the Dominican Republic and Italy, authorities said. His citizenship status is under review, federal officials said.

Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera lauded cooperation between his officers, state troopers and federal cops.

“It just goes to show you, when these bad guys think they are smarter than law enforcement, law enforcement shows up and shows them how wrong they really are,” Rivera said. “Tomorrow, Lawrence will be a little bit safer, and the drugs will be harder to get.”