By Tiffany Williams –
An ongoing and active investigation led by the Massachusetts State Police with assistance from local and federal law enforcement agencies was initiated in July 2021.
The target of this investigation was Luis Garcia-Rodriguez, 38, of Brockton who was suspected to be trafficking fentanyl in Plymouth, Bristol, and Norfolk Counties.
This investigation included several undercover drug buys, surveillance, and other steps that established that Garcia-Rodriguez was maintaining a stash house in Apartment 3 at 283 Bay St., Taunton.
The investigation resulted in probable cause to obtain a search warrant for that apartment and a vehicle that the suspect was believed to be using to distribute narcotics.
On January 28, Massachusetts State Police, a Brockton Police detective and a Homeland Security Investigations federal agent along with Troopers from the MSP Gang Unit and MSP Troop D Community Action Team, set up surveillance on the stash house.
In mid-afternoon, they observed Garcia-Rodriguez and a female later identified as Danielle Macdougall, 26, of Canton, leave the stash house and get into a Dodge Durango sport utility vehicle and drive away. Officers conducted a traffic stop, but when as they exited their cruiser to approach the Durango, Garcia-Rodriguez, who was driving, accelerated in reverse at a high speed and struck an unmarked cruiser parked behind him.
The suspect vehicle continued in reverse on Bay Street and tried to hide the Durango in the driveway of a home. Troopers and officers in the area quickly located Garcia-Rodriguez as he tried to run away toward his residence and apprehended him.
In a bag Garcia-Rodriguez threw down while fleeing on foot that was recovered by police, they found a handgun and a quantity of fentanyl that qualified as trafficking weight. Macdougall had remained in the Durango, and Troopers and Officers recovered narcotics from her possession.
During the execution the search warrant approximately 75 grams of suspected fentanyl, approximately 75 grams of suspected cocaine, suspected methamphetamine pills weighing a total of approximately 25 grams, approximately 9 grams of Xanax, a .22 caliber handgun, a 9mm pistol without a serial number, assorted ammunition in both calibers, approximately $3,000 in cash, and other paraphernalia commonly associated with narcotics trafficking, including digital scales and packaging materials were all seized as evidence in this investigation.
Both Garcia-Rodriguez and Macdougall arrested and taken to the State Police-Middleborough Barracks for booking.
Garcia-Rodriguez was charged with trafficking fentanyl, trafficking cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug laws, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, and motor vehicle offenses.
Macdougall was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a Class C narcotic with intent to distribute, possession of a Class B narcotic, conspiracy to violate drug laws, and allowing improper operation of a motor vehicle.
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