Police arrest a Lynn man as part of an interstate drug ring investigation
Police arrested a Lynn man during what is being called “the largest drug investigation in Oxford County history,’’ according to a statement from Massachusetts State Police.
Police allege Brian Aquino, 34, distributed 17.8 pounds of heroin worth $3.2 million from his residence in Lynn to Oxford County in Maine between January 2013 and April 2015. He is one of 15 suspects responsible for the importation and distribution of the heroin, said police.
Aquino has been charged with trafficking a Class A drug over 200 grams, two counts of trafficking a Class A drug over 28 grams, and possession of a Class B drug. Police arrested Aquino Tuesday morning as a fugitive from justice in Maine, where he was indicted as part of an investigation in Oxford County. While serving a warrant at Aquino’s residence in Lynn, police said they seized 276 grams of heroin, 95 grams of Fentanyl, 4 grams of cocaine, 80 Oxycontin pills and $2,200 in cash.
Aquino was arraigned in Lynn District Court Wednesday. According to Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett’s office, Aquino pleaded not guilty to the charges and was ordered held on $2.5 million bail. He was also ordered held without bail on the fugitive from justice charge from the state of Maine.
Aquino’s lawyer, Raymond Buso, called it “a nonsensical situation.’’
“They are holding him without bail on a case that doesn’t carry a punishment,’’ Buso said about the fugitive from justice charge.
“He’s only been charged, at this point, with the stuff in Mass.,’’ said Buso. “They say there’s a bunch of heroin and other drugs in an apartment. There’s no proof, at this point, to say that was his apartment.’’
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