March 4, 2015
Middleboro-Detectives assigned to the WEB Major Crimes and Drug Task Force in cooperation with Middleboro Police Detectives executed search warrants during mid-day on Wednesday, March 4th in Middleboro. WEB Task Force Detectives had initiated a heroin distribution investigation in the WEB area within the past several months, which had been initiated by detectives following up on a spike of recent heroin overdoses. The investigation identified what was described to detectives as a boyfriend/girlfriend tandem who were distributing heroin to many customers throughout the WEB jurisdiction, Middleboro, Hanson, Halifax and other surrounding communities.
In the midst of the investigation detectives learned that the main targets had moved from a Bridgewater residence and had setup their operation at a Court End Avenue residence in Middleboro. WEB TF Detectives and Middleboro Detectives setup extensive surveillance withint the past several weeks.
Early this week, Detective Perrault was issued search warrants for a vehicle and Court End Avenue residence in Middleboro. The main targets were identified as Mr. James Petersen and Ms. Linsie Beram. Just prior to noontime on Wednesday, investigators were conducting surveillance in the area of Court End Ave. Detectives observed Ms. Beram engage in two suspected heroin transactions in parking lots of businesses located along Route 28 and Route 105 in Middleboro. Detectives stopped and seized street level quantities of heroin from the vehicles and/or its occupants, who had admitted to purchasing heroin form Ms Beram.
Investigators then followed Mr. Petersen and Ms. Beram in their van, away from #20 Court End Ave, where they were stopped by detectives and State Police units on Route 28 by Fairview Street in Middleboro. Investigators located in excess of 10 bags of suspected heroin from the van, Mr. Petersen and/or Ms. Beram. The 10 bags (approximately 5 grams) have a street value of approximately $400.00.
WEB TF, Middleboro Police and State Police Detectives then traveled to #20 Court End Ave, first floor to execute Detective Perrault’s search warrant of Mr. Petersen’s residence. Investigators seized (3) “fingers” of suspected heroin, each weighing approximately 10 grams each, along with approximately $2,000.00 US Currency, packaging baggies, a scale and other items used to prepare quantities of heroin for street sales.
Mr. Petersen, age 30 and Ms. Beram, age 24, both residents of #20 Court End Ave, first floor, Middleboro were arrested and transported to the Middleboro Police Station for booking procedures. Both were charged for Trafficking Heroin (in excess of 18 grams), Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws, and (2) counts of Distribution of Heroin.
The seized heroin is a significant seizure for the WEB Task Force and Middleboro Police. Each finger can yield upwards of 30 street level bags, each selling for $40, yielding as much as a total retail value of $3,600.00.
During the course of the investigation WEB TF and Middleboro Detectives identified suspected heroin customers of Mr. Petersen/Ms. Beram living in numerous communities in Plymouth County, including the WEB TF communities, Middleboro and other adjoining towns. Though the criminal law trafficking heroin statutes Trafficking weights were increased from 14 to 18 grams several years ago by the legislature, Mr. Petersen and Ms. Beram still face a minimum mandatory 3 year state prison sentence.
Mr. Petersen’s van is being seized by investigators via the District Attorney’s Office per the drug forfeiture laws. The seized cash will also be seized pending forfeiture proceedings. Mr. Petersen’s bail was set late Wednesday afternoon at $20,040.00 and Ms. Beram’s at $2,040.00.
This investigation was a great example of the sharing of information and collaboration between numerous law enforcement agencies, including the WEB Task Force, Middleboro Police and State Police assigned to District Attorney’ Timothy Cruz’ Office.
The WEB Major Crimes and Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional unit that proactively investigates drug crimes and other felony offenses. The WEB TF is made up of 10 detectives from the West Bridgewater, Whitman, East Bridgewater, Bridgewater and Bridgewater State University Police Departments who have been working together on drug and felony crimes for the past 16 years.
This is the second significant heroin distribution investigation resulting in arrests within the past week. Last week, WEB Detectives arrested Mr. Roosevelt King, #187 Cambo St, Brockton upon seizing approximately 15 grams of heroin Mr King and his residence from search warrants executed by the WEB Task Force and Brockton Police on Mr King’s vehicle in East Bridgewater and his residence in Brockton.
(3) FINGERS of suspected heroin and approximately $2,000.00 cash seized 3/4/15 from #20 Court End Ave, Middlbeboro
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