Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Lawrence resident has been charged in connection with a federal investigation into a drug manufacturing operation. Joshua Morales, 31, faces one count of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. He 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 and leaving with a large orange bag. Investigators had identified the location as an alleged site for drug distribution and manufacturing. Morales was later apprehended in Lawrence, where authorities allegedly found 10,000 counterfeit Percocet pills believed to contain fentanyl during a search of his vehicle.
A subsequent search of the Methuen residence uncovered an automated pill press and several kilograms of counterfeit Adderall and Percocet pills suspected to contain fentanyl and methamphetamine. Law enforcement also recovered various items used for pill production, including cutting agents, blenders, scales, bowls, bags filled with suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine powders, and binding agents.
If convicted, Morales could face up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life on supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the charges along with officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division, Massachusetts State Police Superintendent Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, and Methuen Police Chief Scott J. McNamara. Additional support came from the Essex County District Attorney’s Office, Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Peabody Police Department, Lawrence Police Department, and Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard is prosecuting the case.
"This case is part of Operation Take Back America," officials stated in the announcement today. "Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN)."
Authorities emphasized that all details contained in charging documents are allegations; Morales is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
