MEDFORD — The Medford Police Department, Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and federal partners announced charges resulting from two separate drug trafficking investigations that led to seizures of fentanyl and counterfeit pills containing illicit narcotics.
The investigations were conducted collaboratively with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency and other state and federal partners to disrupt large scale drug distribution efforts in Middlesex County.
On June 6, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office along with the Massachusetts State Police Gaming Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant in connection with an ongoing investigation into a drug trafficking operation.
Claude Pelissier, 37, and Felicia DiPietrantonio, 37, both of Somerville, were allegedly in possession of large amounts of narcotics including fentanyl, suboxone strips and pills, some of which appeared to be packaged for sale.
In the search of DiPietrantonio’s home, police seized 52 grams of suspected crack cocaine, approximately 68 grams of suspected fentanyl, suboxone strips, numerous unidentified pills, drug paraphernalia including cutting agents, plastic baggies and a scale, and $5,800 cash.
Both Pelissier and DiPietrantonio have been charged with trafficking cocaine over 36 grams, trafficking heroin/morphine/opium/fentanyl in 36 grams or more, possession of a Class B substance, and conspiracy to violate the drug laws.
Their arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 25 in Somerville District Court.
On June 10 at approximately 6:01 a.m., members of the Middlesex State Police Detective Unit, DEA Portsmouth Tactical Diversion Squad, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Medford Police Department executed a search warrant in the basement apartment of a residence on Bowdoin Street.
That warrant was the culmination of a two-month long investigation by the various law enforcement agencies.
John Dinius, 30, of Medford, was arrested for allegedly operating a high-level drug trafficking scheme.
Dinius is alleged to have been manufacturing counterfeit pills, mimicking the appearance of actual prescription medications, such as Adderall and Xanax.
The pills were actually made from illicit narcotics, including methamphetamine.
The search led to seizure of 571 grams of white bar-shaped pills, 466 grams of orange oval-shaped pills, 1,454 grams of blue bar-shaped pills, 80 grams of cocaine, 138 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 18 grams of oxycodone pills, and a mechanically-operated pill press.
Field testing conducted by the Massachusetts State Police Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team of the pressed counterfeit pills all tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine.
Dinius was arraigned in Somerville District Court and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine over 200 grams, trafficking in cocaine 36-100 grams, possession with intent to distribute class B oxycodone, and conspiracy to violate the drug law.
Dinius was ordered held on $75,000 bail.
The next date in this case is July 10 for a probable cause hearing.
