Largest Sale of Ecstasy in Eastern U.S. Foiled by DEA
12 Charged for Role in Selling 150,000 Ecstasy Pills to Undercover Agents

Boston, MA -- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested nine people over the weekend and charged three others with various drug related crimes in connection with the sale and distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine and ecstasy. The arrests, which occurred in Leominster, Mass., followed the attempted sale of 150,000 ecstasy pills to undercover officers - the largest ever undercover ecstasy drug deal in the eastern United States. The arrests were the culmination of an investigation that began in February by the DEA’s Mobile Enforcement Team (MET) working in cooperation with the North Worcester County Drug Task Force, with a focus on the distribution of various controlled substances in Leominster, Fitchburg and surrounding areas.

June W. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New England Division, and United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan, announced that the arrests took place on Sunday, September 25 after the attempted sale of approximately 150,000 ecstasy pills and 1 kilogram of methamphetamine to undercover officers.

“The arrests this weekend demonstrate DEA’S ability to infiltrate and dismantle international drug organizations,” said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Carol L. Cooper. “DEA will pursue these traffickers across the nation and across the world. This record delivery of ecstasy tablets to undercover agents and the additional delivery of approximately a kilogram of methamphetamine is only the beginning of this investigation.”

“This is another great example of federal, state and local law enforcement partners sharing resources and working together to address crime and drug problems in Massachusetts communities,” stated Sullivan.

In addition to Sunday’s arrests, law enforcement agents seized a Range Rover, BMW, Cadillac Escalade and a gun. The United States is also seeking the forfeiture of $66,145 in alleged illegal drug distribution proceeds.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Mobile Enforcement Team in cooperation with the North Worcester County Drug Task Force whose members include the Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner, Clinton and Lunenberg Police Departments. Assistance was also provided by the Boston Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, the Somerville and Malden Police Departments, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and DEA agents in Buffalo, New York; Charlotte, North Carolina; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Jacksonville, Florida; and Ottawa, Canada.