Page 7 - Trooper Summer 2021

The Metro Team has pulled some serious narcotics as well as firearms off the streets in their respective patrol
areas. Most recently, an investigation into a Latin King associate in Lowell lead to the execution of a search warrant that
resulted in the recovery of two illegal firearms. A State Trooper who specializes in undercover police work utilized his skills
in the purchase of three out of the six recovered illegal firearms during the course of this investigation.

Undercover State Troopers work tirelessly across the state with multiple Gang Unit teams as well as teams from the
Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement (CINRET) Section in purchasing various amounts of fentanyl
and crack cocaine from dealers, eventually leading to search warrants granted by respective courts, and more of the same
product recovered during execution of the search warrants.
Heading toward South Eastern MA for the New Bedford Team, unit members conducted a motor vehicle stop on a
vehicle for multiple infactions. During the stop, the driver admitted his license was suspended. A subsequent search of the
vehicle revealed a loaded firearm. The New Bedford Team recently conducted an investigation into a street level fentanyl
dealer in Fall River. Unit members covered an Undercover State Trooper during street level buys, and eventually sought
and were granted a search warrant of the apartment and vehicle of the target in Fall River, resulting in 64 grams of fentanyl
combined, recovered from the apartment and vehicle of the target.

The Boston Team along with BPD Gang Unit members have made an unbelievable effort with numerous firearms
arrests in the city. One such recent firearm arrest lead to the Team being informed by BPD Homicide detectives that one
such arrested party was identified as the suspect in a homicide, which was caught on camera. The homicide had occurred
in Boston two weeks prior. Amazing work so far this year by the Boston team, and they haven’t let up.

In Late June, members of the Brockton Team conducted a motor vehicle stop on a heavily tinted vehicle
after observing several infractions. Immediately upon stopping the vehicle, unit members observed the operator and
sole occupant rise and move rapidly throughout the vehicle. Unit members conducted an exit order and pat frisk, and
immediately upon doing so, observed in plain view a clear plastic bag behind the drivers seat, containing suspected crack
and powder cocaine. This bag was later determined to be 14 grams of both crack and cocaine powder. That’s certainly not
all: A further search incident to arrest yielded a loaded Glock 9mm containing a fully loaded fifteen round magazine and
total of sixteen rounds of ammunition, located within the natural void of the vehicles sunroof. Strong work by the Brockton
Team.

For the last month, the MSP Gang Unit has participated in the Western MA Initiative, assisting Springfield, Holyoke,
and Chicopee PD’s respectfully as the cities continued to be plagued criminal activity. The unit has assisted our local
partners in street level UC buys, warrant services, just to name a few.

In the aftermath of the shooting of Trooper John
Lennon on the Cape last fall, a Gang Unit Trooper, along with
fellow Unit members and investigators from Cape & Islands
SPDU, played a critical role in identifying the suspect in the
shooting. The Troopers dedication and determination along
with his years of training and experience helped identify Andre
Sterling, who Cape & Islands SPDU issued a warrant for his
arrest for the shooting of Trooper Lennon as a result. I think we
all know how that story ended.

In closing, the Gang Unit would be remiss if we didn’t
recognize two long time Gang Unit members who left our
ranks this year, one by means of retirement, one by means
of promotion/ transfer: Sergeant Michael” Mugsy” McCarthy
(ret), and Detective Lieutenant Erik Telford. Unit Commander
Detective Lieutenant Mario Millet said it best in his own words:
(continued)

Trooper Newsletter Page 6