Stoughton Police Assist Norfolk County DA in Making Local Drug Bust

The following is a press release from the Office of Norfolk County District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey:

State Police detectives assigned to Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey’s Drug Task Force, working with Canton and Stoughton detectives, have seized as much as 70 pounds of alleged marijuana and $110,000 in possible drug proceeds – arresting four, according to DA Morrissey on Wednesday.

"This is an investigation that began in September, focusing on the illegal distribution of marijuana in this area," Morrissey said in a statement. “State Police in our office, under the supervision of Sgt. Charles Kane, have been working closely with the Stoughton and Canton police departments in conducting surveillance and other investigation. They have provided invaluable cooperation.” 

William H. Newman, age 32, of Canton pled not guilty Wednesday, Jan. 23, at his Stoughton District Court arraignment to trafficking in marijuana and conspiracy to violate the drug law. Assistant District Attorney Michael C. Connolly asked that Newman successfully argued for $50,000 cash bail. He is due back Feb. 12 for pre-trial conference. Newman’s occupation was given as Mortgage Broker at Newman Financial Group in Canton.

Jose Marquez, 31, of North Hollywood, Calif., pled not guilty to possession of a class E substance, to wit Xanax. ADA Connolly requested $20,000 cash bail; $3,000 bail was set, along with a return date of Feb. 12.

Colin Beauregard, 26, of Lowell, pled not guilty to Possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance (marijuana), unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and conspiracy to violate the drug law. He was held on $20,000 cash bail and ordered to return Feb. 12.

Joseph Shelzi of Pelham, New Hampshire, pled not guilty to possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance (marijuana), unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and conspiracy to violate the drug law. He was also held on $20,000 cash bail and ordered to return Feb. 12. In addition to his bail, he was also held on an outstanding warrant from the Boston Municipal Court.

"Surveillance [Tuesday] was established at approximately 10 a.m., with detectives observing this defendant’s movements for several hours, until it was believed a large scale transfer of drugs and money had taken place among these defendants,” Morrissey said in a statement.

He added, “Initial seizures of drugs and cash at roughly 1 p.m. led to the issuance of a search warrant for the lead defendant’s Canton apartment, where additional material believed to be drugs and thousands of dollars in additional U.S. currency was seized. 

"This investigation involved excellent professional cooperation with the Canton  and Stoughton Police departments and the Massachusetts State Police in our office and has resulted in the disruption of what these charges allege to be a substantial trafficking operation,” Morrissey concluded.