Massachusetts
Massachusetts man admits to possessing 10,000 counterfeit Percocet pills believed to contain fentanyl
A Bay State man has admitted to possessing 10,000 counterfeit Percocet pills laced with fentanyl, according to the feds.
Lawrence man Joshua Morales, 31, pleaded guilty in Boston federal court to drug charges connected to a drug manufacturing ring. More than 10 kilos of drugs were found in the stash location.
According to the feds, law enforcement spotted Morales entering a residence in Methuen and leaving with a large orange bag. Investigators reportedly knew that the residence was an alleged drug distribution and manufacturing location.
While under surveillance, Morales then drove to a location in Lawrence, where he was apprehended. During a search of Morales’ vehicle, 10,000 counterfeit Percocet pills believed to contain fentanyl were recovered.
Also, law enforcement searched the Methuen residence and found an automated pill press, along with multiple kilos of counterfeit Adderall and Percocet pills believed to contain fentanyl and meth.
Law enforcement also recovered numerous items used in the pill manufacturing process, including cutting agents, blenders, scales, bowls and bags full of suspected fentanyl and meth powders and binding agents.
Leader of North Shore drug trafficking organization sentenced to 19 years
A Saugus man was sentenced in Boston federal court for leading a North Shore-based drug trafficking organization that dealt tens of thousands of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl and meth.
Lawrence Nagle, Jr., 35, was sentenced to 19 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release.
Nagle was one of 27 individuals charged, beginning in October 2022, in connection with a wide-ranging conspiracy to traffic counterfeit prescription pills.
In 2018, law enforcement identified Nagle, Jr. and his brother, Christopher Nagle, as leaders of a drug trafficking organization dealing various controlled substances throughout the North Shore.
These controlled substances included: Adderall (both pharmaceutical-grade pills and counterfeit pills containing meth), meth, Xanax, Oxycodone (both pharmaceutical-grade and counterfeit pills containing fentanyl), cocaine and marijuana, among others.
The investigation resulted in law enforcement seizing controlled substances, including: more than 74,000 counterfeit Adderall pills containing meth; 591 counterfeit Adderall pills containing meth; 1,000 counterfeit Oxycodone pills containing fentanyl; and 101 counterfeit Oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.
Also, two Glock firearms and ammunition were recovered from Nagle, Jr.’s house near Oxycodone pills. At the time, Nagle, Jr. was a felon who was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
In August 2024, Christopher Nagle was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison.
Fire broke out at an apartment building in North Attleborough, Massachusetts, on Monday afternoon, sending a column of smoke high into the air.
NBC affiliate WJAR-TV reports the smoke was visible from miles away from the building on Juniper Road.
More details were not immediately available.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Life Care Center of Raynham has received a deficiency‑free inspection result from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, a distinction awarded to a small share of the state’s licensed nursing homes, according to a community announcement.
The inspection was conducted as part of the state’s routine, unannounced nursing home survey process overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. These comprehensive, multi‑day inspections evaluate multiple aspects of facility operations, including staffing levels, quality of care, medication management, cleanliness, food service and resident rights.
State survey records show that Life Care Center of Raynham met required standards during its most recent standard survey, with no deficiencies cited, based on publicly available state data.
The announcement states that fewer than 8% of Massachusetts nursing homes achieve deficiency‑free survey results. That figure could not be independently verified through state or federal data and is attributed to the announcement.
In addition to the state survey outcome, the facility is listed as a five‑star provider for quality measures on the federal Medicare Care Compare website. The five‑star quality measure rating reflects above‑average performance compared with other nursing homes nationwide, according to federal rating methodology.
Officials said the inspection results reflect ongoing compliance with state and federal standards designed to protect resident health and safety. According to the announcement, the outcome is attributed to staff performance and internal quality practices.
This story was created by Dave DeMille, ddemille@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
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