The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office has announced the arraignment of Alonzo Del Carmen Soto Soto, a 48-year-old resident of Lawrence, on drug charges following a significant narcotics operation. The authorities seized approximately 4,400,000 milligrams of fentanyl from Soto Soto, with an estimated street value close to $500,000. This quantity is sufficient to cause overdose deaths for 2.2 million people, given that the lethal dose of fentanyl is two milligrams.
The investigation, named Operation Tie Dye, commenced in October 2024 after receiving information suggesting that Soto Soto was involved in distributing large quantities of fentanyl in Lawrence. The operation involved the Massachusetts State Police (MSP), the AGO’s Enterprise and Major Crimes Division (EMCD), MSP’s Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team (CINRET-North), and the Methuen Police Department.
Throughout the investigation period, law enforcement conducted nine controlled purchases of fentanyl from Soto Soto. Surveillance efforts and cell phone data analysis indicated that he resided on Arlington Street in Lawrence. Investigators secured search warrants for both his person and residence.
On January 23, authorities arrested Soto Soto outside his home after he attempted to flee and discarded a bag containing about nine grams of cocaine and 15 cylinders—referred to as "fingers"—of suspected fentanyl weighing approximately 138 grams.
A subsequent search of his residence led to the discovery and seizure of around 4.25 kilograms more of suspected fentanyl, several pressers, various cutting agents, $9,000 in cash, and his Dominican Republic passport.
Fentanyl is recognized as a highly potent synthetic opioid by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). According to their 2024 Threat Assessment report: “fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat the United States has ever faced,” having resulted in nearly 38,000 American deaths during just the first half of 2023.
Soto Soto faces charges for trafficking over both 100 grams and over 200 grams of fentanyl. He was arraigned on January 24 at Lawrence District Court where he remains held on $100,000 bail.
Assistant Attorney General Kimberly Gillespie is prosecuting this case with support from Senior Intelligence Analyst Jillian Bodreau from EMCD.