Police Arrest 10 in 'Operational Rhino'

By Susan Petroni (Patch staff)

Members of the Natick and Framingham Police Departments assigned to the Metrowest Drug Task Force partnered with members of the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit in “Operation Rhino” on Wednesday as part of a state wide heroin initiative program in a cooperative effort targeting street level heroin dealers in the Framingham and Natick area.

The focus of this operation was to intercept the flow of illegal Narcotics being distributed in the Metrowest region, according to a press release.

As a result of the August 12 investigation, 10 individuals have been arrested, eight of them charged with various drug related offenses including distribution of heroin, as well as two individuals with outstanding arrest warrants.

These latest arrests come following a similar operation last month in Framingham and Natick which resulted in the arrest of four individuals for heroin and similar narcotics related offenses.

The individuals arrested today and offenses they are charged with are as follows:

• Benny Colon, 41 of Framingham charged with conspiracy to violate narcotics laws and distribution of heroin
• Dennis Espada-Colon, 33 of Framingham charged with conspiracy to violate narcotics laws and distribution of heroin
• Andrea Fazio, 25 of Framingham charged with conspiracy to violate narcotics laws and distribution of heroin and outstanding Edgartown district court warrant for Operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license
• Angel Gonzalez, 21 of Westborough charged with conspiracy to violate narcotics laws and distribution of heroin
• Pedro Rodriguez-Torres, 27 of Framingham charged with conspiracy to violate narcotics laws and distribution of heroin
• Ferdinand Rosario, 61 of Framingham charged with conspiracy to violate narcotics laws and distribution of heroin-subsequent offense
• Louis Rosario, 36 of Framingham charged with outstanding Lawrence District court warrant-operating of a motor vehicle with a suspended license
• Joseph Russo, 37 of Framingham charged with larceny of a bike valued over $ 250 and attempt to commit a crime involving narcotics
• Daniel Searles, 27 of Framingham charged with an outstanding New Hampshire fugitive from justice warrant
• Lamar Woodard, 37 of Framingham charged with conspiracy to violate narcotics laws and distribution of heroin

All 10 individuals will be arraigned at Framingham District court on Thursday, Aug 13.