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Seven members drug ring suspected of selling large quantities of cocaine throughout Worcester County were arrested this week after a wire tap resulted in an arrest alongside Interstate 290 in Shrewsbury.
The arrests came after an ongoing, 18-month investigation by the Worcester Police Department's vice squad and gang units, state police assigned to the district attorney's office and the state police special services section. State Police made the stop in Shrewsbury after receiving information that the three men picked up a large amount of cocaine in Lawrence.
After surveillance followed a 2004 Mercedes Benz and a 2005 Infiniti SUV back into Worcester County, they were both stopped on I-290 westbound in the area of Route 140.
"Following the execution of search warrants for both vehicles, a large amount of cocaine (approx 1,000 grams) and a scale were recovered from the rear seat....and a loaded Colt .25 caliber handgun was recovered from the front seat of the [vehicle] being operated by Varry Ramos," according to the police report.
The lengthy investigation concluded with the following arrests:
- Jason Echevarria, 24, of 261 Lincoln St., Apt. 2, Worcester, was charged with Trafficking in Class B (14-27 grams of cocaine), Trafficking in Class B (100-199 grams of cocaine) Possession of Class B Substance and Conspiracy to Violate Controlled Substance Laws;
- Anthony Cruz, 25, of 37 Myrtle Avenue, Webster, was charged with Trafficking in Class B Substance (100-199 grams of cocaine) and Conspiracy to Violate Controlled Substance Laws;
- Kelvin Xavier Arocho, 29, of 65 Main St., Holden, was charged with Trafficking in Class B Substance (200 grams of cocaine), two counts of Possession of a Firearm without a License and two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony/Conspiracy;
- Varry Ramos, 35, of 12 Oliver St., Worcester, was charged with Trafficking in Class B Substance (200 grams of cocaine), Possession of a Firearm without a License and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony/Conspiracy;
- Ashley Cross, 23, of 6 Sterling St., Worcester, was charged with Trafficking in Class B Substance (14-27 grams of cocaine), Drug Violation within 1000 Feet of a School and Conspiracy to Violate Controlled Substance Laws;
- Jennifer Santiago, 28, of 8 Meade St., Worcester, was charged with Trafficking in Class B Substance (14-17 grams of cocaine) and Conspiracy to Violate Controlled Substance Laws;
- Keontae Duff, 21, of 8 Hillside St., Worcester, was charged with Trafficking in Class B Substance (200 grams of cocaine) and Conspiracy to Violate Controlled Substance Laws.
The arrests were made on Thursday and Friday after police obtained search warrants for four residential properties including: 8 Meade St., Worcester, 6 Sterling St., Worcester, 105 Pearl St. Apt. #2, Clinton and 37 Myrtle Avenue Apt. #2, Webster. Police also obtain search warrants for two storage areas/garages located at 45 Catherine St., Worcester and 19 Woodford St., Worcester.
Police recovered more than a Kilo of cocaine with an approximate street value of $75,000. Police were also able to seize three handguns, $15,000 in cash and seven vehicles including a BMW, an Infiniti SUV and two Mercedes-Benz.
Arocho and Ramos were held on $50,000 cash bail and Duff was held on $5,000 cash bail at their arraignment in Westborough District Court on Friday. Echevarria, Cruz, Cross and Santiago were arraigned at the Worcester County Court House Friday.
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