Executive Summary
- Haverhill Police and ATF agents executed a joint raid on a Main Street apartment.
- Jason Ortiz, 35, faces federal firearm charges and state cocaine trafficking charges.
- Jeremy Gagalis, 43, was charged with cocaine trafficking and conspiracy.
- Police stated both suspects were arrested without incident.
Two individuals were taken into custody following a joint law enforcement operation conducted by the Haverhill Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) last Thursday, according to a police statement.
Authorities executed a raid on a Main Street apartment, resulting in the arrests of 35-year-old Jason Ortiz and 43-year-old Jeremy Gagalis. The operation was part of a coordinated effort to address illegal firearms and narcotics activity within the community.
According to the police release issued Tuesday, Ortiz was apprehended on a federal warrant charging him with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Additionally, he faces state charges including trafficking cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug laws, and possession of a Class C drug.
Jeremy Gagalis was arrested during the same raid. Police records indicate he is charged with trafficking cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug laws, and possession of a Class C drug. Officials noted that Gagalis appeared in a Haverhill Police arrest log on Monday, which cited a warrant and drug possession charges.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that both suspects were taken into custody safely and without incident. In a statement, the department emphasized the strategic value of the partnership with federal agents, stating that such collaborations are essential to disrupting criminal networks.
Operational Strategy and Legal Rights
This operation underscores the increasing reliance on federal-local task forces to investigate the intersection of narcotics trafficking and illegal firearm possession. By leveraging federal resources through the ATF, local departments are often able to secure federal indictments which may carry distinct sentencing guidelines compared to state charges. As the investigation proceeds, the legal focus will likely center on the evidentiary link between the alleged drug distribution and the recovered firearms. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
