A Lawrence resident, Joshua Morales, 31, has been charged with possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute following an investigation into a suspected drug manufacturing operation. Morales was arrested on related state charges and is expected to appear in federal court in Boston.
According to court documents, law enforcement observed Morales entering a residence in Methuen that investigators identified as an alleged site for drug distribution and manufacturing. He was later seen leaving the location carrying a large orange bag. Authorities apprehended Morales after he drove to another location in Lawrence. A search of his vehicle reportedly led to the discovery of 10,000 counterfeit Percocet pills believed to contain fentanyl.
Further investigation at the Methuen residence resulted in the seizure of an automated pill press and several kilograms of counterfeit Adderall and Percocet pills suspected of containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. Law enforcement also recovered various materials used in pill production, such as cutting agents, blenders, scales, bowls, bags filled with suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine powders, and binding agents.
If convicted, Morales faces up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to life on supervised release, and a fine that could reach $1 million. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the charges along with Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Methuen Police Chief Scott J. McNamara. The Essex County District Attorney’s Office, Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Peabody Police Department, Lawrence Police Department, and Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office provided assistance in the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard from the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting.
The prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative that coordinates resources from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) programs—to combat illegal immigration networks as well as cartels and transnational criminal organizations while aiming to reduce violent crime across communities.
Authorities emphasized that “the details contained in the charging documents are allegations” and noted that “the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
