LOWELL — Five individuals were taken into custody in an extensive operation to crack down on drug and firearm trafficking in the city, authorities announced Friday.
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Lowell Police Superintendent Greg Hudon, and Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble said Kevin Chou, Vesnar Van, Norath Chou, Jacob Boyce, and Theresa Naill were arrested on allegations of trafficking firearms and cocaine.
The arrests are the result of an investigation that began in February, involving the Lowell Police Department Special Investigations Section, the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, and detectives from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.
An undercover officer made several controlled purchases from March to October, leading to arrest warrants being issued for the suspects.
Kevin Chou, Van, and Naill were detained without incident earlier today in Lowell.
Law enforcement is still searching for John Miller of Lowell, who remains at large.
Simultaneous searches at two Lowell residences yielded around 400 grams of cocaine, more than $51,000 in cash, three firearms including two AR-style rifles, various ammunition and large capacity magazines, and over 900 grams of cocaine.
“These arrests reflect our commitment to removing illegal firearms from our streets and to disrupting large-scale drug operations,” said DA Ryan.
Superintendent Hudon and Colonel Noble echoed her statements, emphasizing the importance of inter-agency collaboration in enhancing community safety and curbing illegal activities.
The five arrested face a range of charges, including various counts of cocaine trafficking, distribution, and firearm possession without a license.
They are expected to be arraigned this Tuesday in Lowell District Court.
The ongoing investigation is a collaborative effort between multiple law enforcement agencies, and while the charges are serious, the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.
