Massachusetts
Fentanyl and meth drug lab found in Massachusetts house, suspect pleads guilty

LYNN, Mass. (WWLP) – More than six pounds of pressed pills containing methamphetamine and fentanyl were seized from a hidden drug lab inside a home connected to what the FBI says is believed to be among the biggest-ever drug busts in a single location in New England.
In July 2023, an investigation into an overdose death in Salem led detectives to uncover a large-scale drug trafficking organization led by the three suspects, Deiby Felix, Emilio Garcia, and Sebastien Bejin of Lynn. Four months later, investigators searched a stash house that Bejin and Garcia were said to frequent and found an estimated eight million individual doses of fentanyl and methamphetamine-laced pills and powder.
“The seizure included nine kilograms (20 pounds) of pink heart shaped fentanyl-laced pills pressed to look like candy.”
Department of Justice in Boston
Upon searching Felix’s home, officers located more than three kilograms of pressed pills containing methamphetamine and fentanyl and a firearm. Officers discovered a secret drug laboratory in Felix’s basement when visiting a second time, where they seized multiple industrial pill presses, mixing equipment, and other manufacturing materials.
Throughout the investigation, 198 pounds of fentanyl and methamphetamine were seized, along with multiple additional kilograms of cocaine and dozens of kilograms of cutting agents, including xylazine, that are used to adulterate controlled substances. The laced pills and powder seized had an estimated street value believed to be upwards of $8 million.
On Monday, 41-year-old Felix pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to manufacture and distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and other controlled substances; and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29th.
Bejin pleaded guilty on Jan. 15th and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 1. The Department of Justice says Garcia is scheduled to plead guilty on Feb. 7th.
Local News Headlines
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Massachusetts
Massachusetts store unknowingly sold counterfeit sneakers

MILFORD – Police in Milford say a high-end shoe store unknowingly sold counterfeit shoes. Now the owner is offering refunds and tells WBZ he was also shocked to learn he was selling counterfeits.
In the booming sneaker biz, the Family Sneakers House thought they the getting a deal from their Chinese distributor, but Milford police say it turned out they were duped with counterfeit sneakers.
$200,000 in counterfeit items
Police seized more than 1,200 sneakers worth $200,000 if they were authentic.
“If it’s too good to be true, it usually is,” said Milford Police Chief Robert Tusino.
Police said the investigation started after they got concerns about the shoes last year.
“We sent someone in there to buy some shoes and sure enough buyer beware, they weren’t legit, they were counterfeit,” said Chief Tusino.
Ordered from Chinese distributor
Detectives say the owner was ordering products from a Chinese distributor, paying via wire transfer and didn’t know the shoes were counterfeits.
The store is new to the sneaker game, only open for a year.
“This person running the store didn’t really know,” said Chief Tusino. “We’re very pleased that the owner was very accommodating and remorseful because they were scammed too, it wasn’t just the consumer.”
Luxury sneakers are a big business that can come with big-time scammers. So, in the big sneaker business, how can you tell what’s real and what’s not? We asked some veterans in the shoe game for answers.
How to spot fake sneakers
Ferguson Herivaux has owned Limited Stock in Boston for years, featuring some of the most coveted footwear.
“It’s a little challenging and it’s a complex process to begin with,” said Herivaux. “First thing is the sole. If you’re able to squeeze the sole with two fingers that’s the first sign, you can’t squeeze this shoe no matter how hard you try. Obviously second is the stitching.”
Other things to look for are the colors of the shoes and the tag inside the shoes.
If ever in doubt, Herivaux says ask an expert or use an app too to verify authenticity because the bigger the business gets, the more fakes make the rounds.
“It’s a really, really big problem and quite frankly I understand the allure. It’s quick, cheap, people are willing to pay way less,” said Herivaux. “A lot of the times it’s the price. If a deal is too good to be true, it’s not true”.
In Milford, the owner of Family Sneakers House said the store is open and has authentic merchandise.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts educators face negativity over snow day decision

After negativity on social media regarding the decision around a snow day, a Massachusetts town is reminding people to not take it out on teachers.
“Public school teachers DO NOT weigh in on the decision as to whether or not to have school – they are dedicated and caring employees that transform the lives of your children,” the Hopedale Town Administrator Facebook page states.
The Facebook post was created after there was negative activity surrounding Hopedale’s decision to close schools Thursday, which was “particularly directed at our educators,” the post stated.
Many schools in Massachusetts closed Thursday due to the snow storm, which started around 6 a.m. in parts of the state.
Forecasters expect most of the state to see between 2 and 4 inches of snow, with 3 inches projected to fall in Boston, between 3 and 4 inches forecasted for Worcester and 2 to 3 inches predicted for Springfield.
To make the call about a snow day, Hopedale explained that the superintendent works with the town administrator, police chief, highway superintendent and other area school superintendents.
“The primary goal of this process is to assess the road conditions to make sure buses and parents can traverse both to and from school safely with minimal risk,” the post read. “Prior to making the announcement to cancel, the Superintendent and I spoke, and we knew that most other area schools were cancelling after working through their own processes.”
The post also acknowledged the forecast could be wrong.
“Lastly, I fully understand that meteorologists are accurate 50% of the time,” it read. “We are all relying on the best information we can in real time to make decisions.”
For more weather coverage, click here.
Massachusetts
New U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley on immigration, Karen Read trial

Watch CBS News
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
-
Technology1 week ago
Mark Zuckerberg says Meta isn’t worried about DeepSeek
-
Business1 week ago
Tulsi Gabbard Defended Russia and Syria. Now She Must Defend Those Views.
-
News6 days ago
Hamas frees more Israeli hostages in Gaza as fragile ceasefire holds
-
Health6 days ago
New bird flu strain detected on poultry farm as experts monitor mutations
-
Technology1 week ago
OpenAI has evidence that its models helped train China’s DeepSeek
-
World1 week ago
Meta agrees to pay $25 million to settle lawsuit from Trump after Jan. 6 suspension
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump tells senior FBI ranks to resign or be fired
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump administration offers buyouts to remote employees who don’t return to the office