Tucceri

McCloskey

After several people addicted to prescription drugs committed suicide in Arlington last year, police said Friday, Aug. 20, that a lengthy investigation has led charges filed against three major drug dealers in the town, including one who is now on the run.

Brock Parker, a staff writer for Boston.com's YourTown sites, reports that the yearlong investigation, dubbed Operation Trifecta, began after at least three people addicted to prescription drugs in Arlington committed suicide last year.

Quoting Capt. Robert Bongiorno, the story says that, about the same time, police learned from informants that Arlington was known as a place to get prescription pills, such as OxyContin and Percocet.

Ortiz

"Diversion of prescription drugs for unlawful distribution on the streets of Metropolitan Boston continues to concern law enforcement officials," chief Frederick Ryan said in a statement. "These arrests will hopefully have a significant impact on reducing the availability of illegal prescription drugs available in our region."

On Tuesday, Aug. 17, Arlington police arrested Christopher Tucceri, 38, of Mountain Avenue in Arlington, whom authorities believe was dealing the highest volume of prescription drugs.

Police said investigators and members of the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force conducted months of surveillance and observed Tucceri engaging in illegal drug sales in Arlington Heights locations.

He was later arrested and had large quantizes of OxyContin, Cocaine and US currency in his possession. He was charged with distribution of Class B subsequent offense, possession of Class B and drug violation near a school zone, and the cash and a vehicle were seized.

Police believe Tucceri was operating independently from two other Arlington men charged with selling prescription drugs in the town:

John McCloskey, 42, of Pleasant Street, and Moses Ortiz, 22, who was arrested during a raid on his Everett Street home in June.

Police have obtained an arrest warrant for McCloskey on charges of possession with the intent to distribute class B and C drugs. Bongiorno said police are actively searching for McCloskey, whom they believe is still in the area.

Police said McCloskey delivered pills to undercover Arlington police investigators on several occasions and on July 7, investigators arranged to purchase a large amount of OxyContin from McCloskey in Arlington Heights.

McCloskey has an active arrest warrant and is actively being sought by the Arlington Police and is considered to be a fugitive from justice.

McCloskey’s vehicle and cash were seized. He is charged with distribution of class B, and possession of Class C.

Ortiz, facing federal drug charges, was the first target of the local investigation and police believe he was receiving prescription drugs from Las Vegas. 

An Arlington police statement said police teamed with federal partners and the NEMLEC SWAT Team, which executed a federal warrant in June. Ortiz was subsequently arrested on federal charges, his brother Justo Ortiz, 25, of Arlington was also arrested on state drug charges.

Bongiorno said Operation Trifecta also led to the arrest of two other Arlington men, Michael Bowler, 43, of Burton Avenue, and Edward Healey, 33, of 620 Summer St. 

Police believe Bowler was "running" drugs for McCloskey. Bowler was arrested during a controlled drug buy on July 7 and charged with distributing a class B substance, possession of Class B and drug violation near a school zone.

Healey was arrested Aug. 2 and charged with possession of prescription drugs with the intent to distribute, and several other drug charges.

Based on information developed by authorities, Arlington investigators were able to work with local and federal law enforcement partners and seize large amounts of Oxycontin, Cocaine and US currency. This case remains under active investigation.