LAWRENCE, Mass. — An alleged gang member and known drug dealer was arrested following an hours-long SWAT standoff at a home in Lawrence on Monday morning, federal law enforcement officials said.
Luis Jose Nivar Cabral was taken into custody on charges filed in connection with a drug case being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Maine, a criminal complaint shared with Boston 25 News indicated.
The operation began at dawn when Homeland Security and FBI agents surrounded a house on Roberta Lane in Lawrence with a federal arrest warrant for Cabral.
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Cabral is suspected of trafficking fentanyl in northern Massachusetts and Maine and has allegedly been involved in three home invasions. He is also a suspected member of the notorious Trinatarios Gang.
According to an arrest warrant, Cabral was also recently involved in a high-speed car chase in Rumford, Maine, in which shots were fired at police with high-powered rifles.
Law enforcement used a battering ram on the home and broke a window, allowing officers to deploy flash bangs to end the standoff.
“I heard all the detonations, and they bring the big bulldozer they have and break everything, they start detonation with rifles and everything,” neighbor Jose Rodriguez said.
After the standoff, Cabral was taken to federal court in Boston for his initial appearance before a judge. It’s expected that he will be returned to Maine to face federal charges related to his alleged criminal activities.
After Cabral was taken into custody, agents swarmed into the home looking for evidence. Boston 25 News saw agents break open a safe where they recovered at least one firearm.
The arrest of Cabral marks a significant development in the efforts to combat gang-related drug trafficking and violence in the region.
“As we see, it’s a very intense scene. And I’m just grateful that the authorities are here doing the work they need to do. And I’m happy to see that people here have nothing to worry about,” said Stephany Infante, Vice President of the Lawrence City Council.
An investigation remains ongoing.
Read the full criminal complaint against Cabral:
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