Six arrested in North Shore oxycodone pill ring bust

By Melissa M. Werthmann, Globe Correspondent

Police across the North Shore seized thousands of oxycodone pills and more than $50,000 cash after a long-term drug investigation, Essex County prosecutors said.

The multi-agency investigation led to search and arrest warrants issued for 10 locations across the area, according to a statement from the Essex district attorney’s office.

Police arrested six suspects this morning in Lynn, Peabody, Salem, and Danvers, the statement said. A gun was seized in Danvers.

The investigation was a collaboration among the Essex District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, Massachusetts State Police, the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Lynn, Salem, Saugus, Peabody, and Danvers police, according to the statement.

Police arrested Henry Hernandez, 36, of Lynn, David Soucy, 35, of Danvers, Jesus Franco, 42, of Salem, and Celton Pelaez, 36, Peabody for trafficking oxycodone.

Police arrested Joel Gonzalez, 32, of Lynn for selling a firearm and Jason Gentry, 32, of Salem, for possession with intent to distribute oxycodone.

The six suspects will be arraigned in Peabody and Salem district courts this morning, prosecutors said.