Undercover Operation in Woburn Nets 6 Drug Arrests

An undercover operation in Woburn, aimed at combatting drug use in the city and surrounding area, resulted in six arrests Wednesday.

Police arrested two alleged Lawrence-based drug dealers:

• Julio A. Espinal, 31, of 38 Chelmsford St., Lawrence, was charged with distribution of a Class B drug (cocaine).
• Francis R. Pereyra, of 108 Springfield St., Lawrence, was charged with three counts of distribution of a Class B drug (cocaine).

And four “customers” allegedly trying to buy heroin:

• Timothy B. Johnson, 43, of 116 Main St., Woburn, was charged with conspiracy to violate a drug law and attempt to commit a crime.
• Daniel E. Palmieri, 32, of 9 Philemon St., Arlington, was charged with conspiracy to violate a drug law, attempt to commit a crime and possession of a Class A drug (heroin).
• Jane M. Cummings, 43, of 1007 Sherwood Forest Lane, Saugus, was charged with conspiracy to violate a drug law and attempt to commit a crime.
• The fourth buyer’s identity was not immediately available Thursday, as he or she was arrested by Burlington, not Woburn, police.

According to the police report, Lawrence is a “source city” for heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine distribution along the Route 93 corridor.

“Over the past few years Woburn has experienced an upsurge in the abuse of heroin and prescription opioids,” according to the report.

In 2014, Woburn Police responded to 40 drug overdoses, 29 of which were heroin related, resulting in six deaths, according to the report.

The undercover operation was conducted by Woburn, Lawrence and Burlington police, the Southern Middlesex Regional Drug Task Force and Massachusetts State Police.