More Opioids seized, arrests as Massachusetts Troopers and Detectives continue fight against drug trafficking

State Troopers assigned to the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit and North Shore Gang Task Force, along with Lawrence and Methuen Police, yesterday arrested two Lawrence men for trafficking heroin after developing information that they arranged to sell a large quantity of heroin.

Troopers and detectives arrested LUIS LOPEZ, 21, at about 4 p.m. after he exited the men’s room of a Burger King on Haverhill Street in Methuen.

A short time later, Troopers and detectives located a green van at a gas station at the intersection of Haverhill Street and Burnham Road, recognizing it as the van that had dropped defendant LOPEZ off at the Burger King earlier in the afternoon. Police identified the driver of the van as TIRSON BATISTA, 23. Subsequent investigation revealed that BATISTA was a participant in the drug trafficking operation and he, too, was placed under arrest.

The investigation into the two men led to the recovery of approximately 213 grams of suspected heroin, an amount worth at least several thousand dollars on the street.

LOPEZ and BATISTA were transported to the Lawrence Police Station, where they were booked on charges of trafficking heroin over 200 grams and conspiracy to violate narcotics laws.

Please credit photo to Massachusetts State Police.