METHUEN, MA — A Lawrence man was arraigned in federal court today following a narcotics investigation that resulted in the seizure of thousands of counterfeit pills.
Joshua Morales, 31, of Lawrence, faces numerous charges stemming from an investigation conducted in August by Methuen Police and a federal task force.
Police executed a search warrant at a Methuen home that was allegedly being used as a drug distribution and manufacturing location.
Officers seized several kilograms of counterfeit pills and numerous drug paraphernalia items during the search.
A subsequent search of a vehicle yielded an additional 10,000 illegal pills.
The investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Homeland Security Task Force, Essex County District Attorney’s Office, Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Peabody Police Department, Lawrence Police Department, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
