Suspected Brockton Drug Dealers Caught in Massive Bust

BROCKTON — After a massive drug sweep in Brockton on Tuesday morning, state and Brockton police have arrested 15 city residents and one Rockland man for allegedly dealing fentanyl and cocaine.

They also issued 24 more arrest warrants for other suspected area drug dealers and took 17 other people into custody on prior warrants and other incidental charges, according to a release from Massachusetts State Police.

State police said that the agency's Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction and Enforcement Team (CINRET) in cooperation with other units and agencies worked undercover to buy drugs from 40 suspected dealers.

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Early Tuesday morning, around 100 troopers and officers split up into 13 arrest teams to capture the 40 targets, ultimately catching 16 people allegedly involved in drug dealing, police said.

According to the release, several are charged with larger-scale fentanyl trafficking, while most others are charged with distributing a Class A narcotic (fentanyl) or distributing a Class B narcotic (cocaine).

Part of the Brockton Opiate Suppression Initiative, the large-scale operation was the result of a two-month investigation that targeted open-air drug distribution in certain Brockton neighborhoods.

Authorities also searched two locations: the Cairn Road home of one target suspected of drug trafficking, and a room at the Holiday Inn Express associated with two other suspects.

At each spot, police said arrest team members found an illegally owned gun, both loaded semi-automatic pistols. One of the firearms had a large capacity magazine.

Both guns were seized.

Police said at least 80 grams of cocaine were also recovered in the operation.

The list of Brockton suspects caught include:

• Ernest Brockington, 34, distribution of a Class B narcotic
• Kali Richardson, 42, trafficking in fentanyl more than 10 grams, distribution of a Class A narcotic, distribution of a Class B narcotic
• Trevell Starks, 39, distribution of a Class B narcotic, conspiracy to violate drug laws
• Sabrina Marie Velazquez, 33, distribution of a Class A narcotic, distribution of a Class B narcotic
• Nicole Jeanne Viera, 25, distribution of a Class B narcotic, conspiracy to violate drug laws
• Xiandra S. Cabral, 37, distribution of a Class B narcotic subsequent offense; trafficking cocaine, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, conspiracy to violate drug laws
• Lemar Lugo, 32, distribution of a Class A substance subsequent offense, conspiracy to violate drug laws
• Elionel Estevan Ortiz, 23, larceny by false pretense
• Carlos Baez, 45, distribution of a Class B narcotic subsequent offense; trafficking cocaine, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, conspiracy to violate drug laws.
• Victor Eliott, 55, distribution of a Class A narcotic; distribution of a Class B narcotic
• Sam Metellus, 40, distribution of cocaine
• Morgada Barbosa, 52, distribution of a Class B narcotic
• Erika L. Comeau, 39, distribution of a Class B narcotic
• Fausto Nicholas, 39, distribution of a Class A narcotic, conspiracy to violate drug laws
• Geraldo Colon, 57, distribution of a Class A narcotic, subsequent offense

Authorities also caught 38-year-old Euclides Fernandes Martins of Rockland for allegedly distributing a Class B narcotic.

The other targets of the 40 arrest warrants are still being sought by police.

Teams also encountered and arrested 17 others on outstanding warrants or other offenses in the sweep operation.

Among these, 31-year-old Brockton man Hakim Richardson was arrested in the Cairn Road raid after police said they found a Ruger .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol with 11 rounds of ammunition in his house.

Hakim is Kali Richardson's brother.

He is being charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a large capacity feeding device, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

“This operation should serve as a message to those that would seek to deal and distribute drugs for profit in Brockton,” State Police Colonel Christopher Mason said.

“The State Police, Brockton Police Department and local government have no tolerance for your predatory criminal activity."

Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez commented: “Today’s operation shows that when law enforcement works with the community, it can reduce crime, prevent overdoses and remove dangerous felons from the streets."

"Residents play a crucial role in keeping our communities safe by staying vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity or signs of crime," she added.

“Drug dealers and traffickers – and the associated violence that goes along with them — are crumbling our communities and negatively affecting the quality of life here in Brockton,” Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz said.

“I believe that the city of Brockton is a safer place today.”