Authorities arrested 16 people and seized large quantities of suspected heroin and other drugs, cash, and 10 firearms Tuesday during raids around the region that grew out of a Randolph police investigation into a drug-distribution operation, officials said.
The suspects were taken into custody during predawn raids at nine spots in Randolph plus locations in Boston, Braintree, Quincy, Brockton, West Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Milton, and Carver, prosecutors said.
Ten of the defendants are accused of conspiring to violate drug laws with Carl H. French, 37, of Randolph, who was also arrested Tuesday and accused of money laundering and distributing oxycodone, court records show.
Drug trafficking charges were filed against three people. Randolph residents Shante M. Green, who turns 31 Wednesday, and Octavio T. Nares, 38, were accused of trafficking heroin and cocaine and an ammunition offense.
Vincent Bonanno, 27, of Randolph, faces charges of heroin trafficking and firearms offenses, according to court records.
Fourteen of the defendants were arraigned Tuesday in Quincy District Court, where they pleaded not guilty, the DA’s office said. Arraignments for two others are scheduled for Wednesday.
Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey said the investigation was part of efforts to combat the opioid crisis plaguing the state. He said Norfolk County recorded more than 170 fatal overdoses last year because of the supply of heroin and fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid.
“Law enforcement is pushing hard for increased addiction prevention, treatment for addiction, and diminishing the demand for these drugs, but it remains vital that we work to close off the supply of poisons that are killing our citizens by the hundreds,’’ Morrissey said in statement.
Randolph had nine fatal opioid overdoses in 2015, according to the DA’s office. Last year’s figures weren’t available Tuesday, a spokesman said.
“Randolph will be safer tonight because of this operation,’’ Police Chief William Pace said in a statement. “This investigation was complex, and I commend all agencies that were involved for their professionalism and collaboration in getting these deadly drugs off our streets.’’
The officers who participated in the operation came from 19 cities and towns, sheriff’s departments in Norfolk and Plymouth counties, the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI, officials said. The South Shore Drug Task Force helped Randolph police with the investigation, officials said.
“Those suffering from the disease of opioid addiction need access to treatment and recovery,’’ said Michael J. Ferguson, the special agent in charge for the DEA in New England. “This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts to intensely go after anyone who trafficks these poisons.’’
Laura Crimaldi can be reached at laura.crimaldi@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @lauracrimaldi.
