July 24, 2015
For Immediate Release
Contact:Tim Connolly 508-368-7236
SOUTHBRIDGE – Six people, arrested yesterday here and in Worcester, are facing drug trafficking and conspiracy charges after a long joint investigation by State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office and the Southbridge Police, according to District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.
“We’re remaining ever vigilant on heroin and opiate trafficking to keep this poison off our streets and out of our neighborhoods,” Mr. Early said. “This is a good example of law enforcement agencies working together with a great outcome. And the quality of life is restored to a neighborhood.”
All six defendants are charged with Trafficking Class A Substance (36 to 100 grams heroin), Trafficking Class B Substance (18 to 36 grams cocaine) and Conspiracy to Violate Controlled Substances Act.
Arrested were:
Jorge Rosario, Jr., 45, of 6 Hammond Street Apartment 1R, Worcester.
Jorge Rosario, 24, of 16 Wardwell Court Apartment 1R, Southbridge.
Luis Coll, 25, of 23 Wardwell Court Apartment 2, Southbridge.
Edgardo Ramirez, 37,23 Wardwell Court Apartment 3, Southbridge.
Carlos Mercado, 24, of 70 Central Street, Southbridge.
Jonathan Gonzalez, 23, of 16 Wardwell Court Apartment 2, Southbridge.
They were arraigned in Dudley District Court today. Judge Timothy M. Bibaud ordered each of the defendants held on $75,000 bail, except for Jorge Rosario, Jr. whose bail was set at $10,000. Their cases were continued to Aug. 28 for a probable cause hearing.
Yesterday at about 6 a.m., State Police detectives and Southbridge police, with the assistance of multiple State Police units as well as local and federal agencies, began surveillance in the Wardwell Court area of Southbridge in anticipation of executing search warrants at 23 Wardwell Court, Apartments 1, 2, and 3 and 16 Wardwell Court, Apartment 1R. Search warrants for four vehicles were also going to be executed as well as at 6 Hammond Street, Apartment 1R, Worcester.
Jorge Rosario Jr. was followed driving a Honda Odyssey from Wardwell Court to Worcester. At Webster and Lyman streets in Worcester, detectives interrupted an apparent drug transaction between Jorge Rosario Jr. and a man who approached the Honda. Jorge Rosario, Jr.,was arrested at that location.
The other defendants were arrested in Southbridge.
As a result of the multiple search warrants illegal narcotics and $22,000 in cash were seized as evidence. Also seized were a 1999 Ford Expedition, a 2004 Infinity FX35, a 2005 Dodge Magnum, a 2000 Honda Odyssey, a Yamaha motorcycle, a 2003 Hyundai, a 2006 BMW 525xi, a Nissan Altima and three Jet Skis.
Assisting in the investigation were Massachusetts State Police-Gang Unit, State Police-Sturbridge, State Police C Troop Community Action Team, MSP-Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, State Police-K9, Southbridge Police-K9, Southbridge Police Department Detective Unit, Worcester Police Department Vice Squad, , Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration Worcester HIDTA Task Force, DEA Worcester Tactical Diversion Section, State Police-Crime Scene Services Sections, Massachusetts State Parole.