Lowell Police WebNews

Archive for March, 2012

Drug Trafficker Charged

United States vs. John Camacho

LOWELL, MA (March 30, 2012) –  The United States Attorney’s Office honors the Lowell Police Department for collaborative investigative efforts. DEA task force officer Shaun Santos of the Lowell Police Department was one of the recipients. Santos along with task force agents from Boston, Bedford, Waltham and investigators from the DEA and the Massachusetts State Police were presented this award as a result of an elaborate money laundering and high level drug operation investigation that spanned countries such as Columbia, Mexico, Europe, South America and the Caribbean.

During the course of this investigation, DEA and the Massachusetts State Police along with Task Force Officers masterfully used multiple confidential informants, undercover agents, extensive physical surveillance and sophisticated electronic surveillance, including the first Title III-real time intercept of an e-mail account in the District, to infiltrate Camacho’s organization which had been active for 20 years. DEA agents would pose as high level money launders. They would negotiate a fee with drug dealers, pick up the money from the drug dealers and wire the money to drug trafficker’s accounts. This is considered to be one of the most successful take downs of a major drug and money case in recent memory. Seized as a result of this investigation 4,437 kilograms of cocaine, 7.2 kilograms of heroin, arrest of 78 individuals and seized approximately $10 million dollars.

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell has opened the registration period for their 2012 Summer Program. This program serves youth age 7-18 and runs from July 2^nd to August 24^th. This program offers a variety of fun activities throughout the summer and at only $10.00 per week per member, including weekly field trips and free breakfast and lunch, it will likely fill up quick! The registration forms for parents and employment applications for those interested in working for the summer program can both be found attached. If you have any questions about the materials attached, please do not hesitate to contact the Boys & Girls Club.

Summer 2012 Registration Form final

Employment Application

LOWELL, MA (March 14, 2012) – The Lowell Police Department is announcing that it will conduct minimum age purchase law compliance checks of the city’s liquor establishments throughout the year (2012).  The compliance checks will be aimed at retailers of alcoholic beverages, bars, and restaurants.  The compliance checks will focus on, but will not be limited to, inspection of license, sales to minors and over-serving by restaurants and bars.

Lowell Police Deputy Superintendent Arthur Ryan Jr. stated, “The Lowell Police Department uses compliance checks to ensure that the City’s licensed establishments remain vigilant in their responsibilities. We are pleased that most operate in a safe and responsible manner. Those that do not are identified through this program and corrective action is taken. The primary goal in this and other enforcement measures are to ensure that our young people are safe; we at the Lowell Police Department will endeavor to use every opportunity to achieve that goal.”

Violations are most often brought to a hearing before the city’s License Commission, but in some circumstances, violators could additionally be charged criminally and face prosecution by the District Attorney’s Office in criminal court.

Additional note: The LPD received $15,000 from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Division to conduct compliance checks, Cops in Shops operations and party patrols throughout the spring and summer.

              Lowell Officers receive new State Identification Cards

LOWELL, MA (March 15, 2012) – Lowell police Officers will now be part of a new state wide police identification program. The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association and the Massachusetts Major City Chiefs are today unveiling a new credential being carried by the police officers from Lowell and across Massachusetts. The new ID cards are of uniform design and utilize features that thwart tampering and counterfeiting. To our knowledge, Massachusetts is the first state in the U.S. to implement a statewide system of secure police credentials. Massachusetts law requires that every city and town issue identification cards to its full-time police officers, who are required to carry the card and exhibit it upon lawful request. However, there has never before been a standard for the design of the card leaving police departments to come up with their own. Additionally, most Police ID cards had no security elements so counterfeit cards could conceivably be made using off-the-shelf printers and software. The lack of uniform, secure credentials posed several security and public safety problems.  It is not uncommon for people to commit crimes by posing as police officers. Lowell Officers are pleased to be part of this program. With the need of heighten security measures at its highest this program enhances public safety not only in Lowell MA but across the country.

Each card is serial numbered so that a lost or stolen card can be entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). The back of every card attests that the bearer is a law enforcement officer as defined by federal law. Since 2004, law enforcement officers have been empowered to carry firearms outside their own state provided that they carry photo identification issued by their departments. The cost of the first card issued to each police officer is paid using federal homeland security funding. Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, said, “Our commonwealth’s police Chiefs have afforded our citizens a reliable means to determine whether a person presenting police identification is authentic. This is in keeping with our mission to keep the public safe.”

Contact Public Information Officer:

Captain Kelly Richardson

Office: (978) 674-1709

Krichardson@lowellma.gov

Elderly Residents Targeted 

LOWELL, MA (March 14, 2012) – In what has become an ongoing trend the Lowell Police Department again is reaching out to our public for assistance. Over the last several months Lowell Police have received complaints of individuals calling elderly residents and attempting to swindle them out of their money.  The caller plays on the nurturing instincts of the victim by identifying him or herself as a relative in need of help. They continue this ruse by telling the victim that they are far away and need money to return home and are reluctant or even afraid to reach out to other relatives. They amplify their request with a tone of dismay to the point of pretending to cry.

Deputy Superintendent Arthur Ryan stated: “These scams are particularly troubling, they are targeting our senior citizens, not only stealing their saving’s, but causing unnecessary anxiety and concern for their loved ones. These criminals are relying on good people to do good deeds, and then victimizing them for it; it is truly disturbing that there are people out there that would do this”

How victims are being identified and targeted is part of our investigation. Access to information thru search engines and social media are abounding. Residents are asked that if they do receive a call similar to this scenario or any call from someone requesting money or personal info that they tell the caller that they are notifying their local police, then hang up and immediately pick up your phone and dial *57. This will lock in the number that they called from and will help Police identify the call origination point. Documenting the time and date will also help your phone carrier and Police pinpoint the call search.

Contact:                                                                                 Public Information Officer:

Captain Kelly Richardson                                                  Captain Kelly Richardson

Krichardson@lowellma.gov                                              Office: (978) 674-1709

Please see the attached Press Release from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) pertaining to “Bath Salts.” Possessing and selling these chemicals, or the products that contain them, is now illegal in the United States.

http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/pressrel/pr102111p.html

LOWELL, MA (March 8, 2012) – The Lowell Police Department has become aware of a potential harmful substance that could affect area children. An investigation by Lowell Police narcotics detectives led by Lieutenant Barry Golner has uncovered a substance that is being sold legally over the counter in area stores. This substance called Bath Salt or MDPV (Methylenedioxpyurovalerone) is being purchased by individuals and it has the same effect on the central nervous system as many of the illegal narcotics that are sold on the streets today. This white or tan powder is mostly sold in glass vials. When an individual enters a store he can ask for a vile of “jump start”. Other names used are “Ivory Wave”, “Purple Wave”, “Sky” and “Bliss”.  The substance renders the person that ingest into an altered state. The effects can last up to 3 to 4 hours. Although there is a chance of an overdose we have not been notified of any as of yet. This information is being forwarded because we are concerned about the negative effects this substance could have on an individual’s health and well being. Parents and teachers should watch for signs of possible ingestion by children under their care. Some common signs are agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, and chest pain.

Contact:                                                                                 Public Information Officer:

Captain Kelly Richardson                                                  Captain Kelly Richardson

Krichardson@lowellma.gov                                             Office: (978) 674-1907

Lowell Police Officers have investigated to 2 incidents involving elderly residents being scammed via telephone. On both occasions elderly residents were contacted on their home telephones by someone posing as a lottery agent. The caller begins by telling the receiving person that they have won 1.2 million dollars and a brand new Mercedes automobile. They continue their hoax by informing the person that to be able to collect their winnings they need to wire a cash sum to an address in Jamaica. They pressure the victim by telling them that this needs to be done immediately so they can collect their winnings.  In one incident they used the internet to inform a victim of his alleged winning and requested the same of him. The callers have identified themselves as working for Mega Millions International.

Residents are reminded not to provide any personal information over the telephone to people not known to them.  If you receive a call such as this please make note of the number on your caller ID, then hang up and notify your local Police Department.