BOSTON – Two Massachusetts men were charged in connection with an investigation targeting a drug manufacturing ring. Over 18 kilograms of suspected controlled substances and a pill press were recovered during searches.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, “Jose Vasquez Lantigua, 47, and Manuel Santana-Soto, 35, both of Lawrence, Mass., were each charged with one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute and manufacture controlled substances, and one count of manufacture and possession of controlled substances with intent to manufacture and distribute. Lantigua and Santana-Soto were both arrested and charged in state court on Aug. 28, 2025, along with a third alleged co-conspirator, Joshua Morales. Morales was charged with federal drug offenses in connection with this case on Aug. 29, 2025 and remains in federal custody. Lantigua and Santana-Soto remain in state custody and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
“According to the charging documents, Morales was observed entering and leaving a known drug distribution and manufacturing location inside a third-floor apartment in Methuen. It is alleged that Morales then drove to a location in Lawrence, where he was detained. During a search of Morales’ vehicle, 10,000 counterfeit Percocet pills believed to contain fentanyl were allegedly recovered…