The Hudson Police Department has recently made two arrests in connection to a significant drug trafficking operation. On Friday, as reported by the Hudson Police Department's official website, Francis Feliz Mejia, 29, of Roxbury, and Charles R. Claussen, 33, of Stow, were charged with various drug-related offenses following a collaborative law enforcement effort.
The nearly year-long investigation was spearheaded by the Hudson Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit and Detective Unit, with Officers Jason Hatstat and Cameron O’Toole, along with Detective James Connolly, initially handling the difficult work. The operation was later expanded to include additional department members and agencies, including the FBI's Boston Strike Force and the Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council SWAT team. Their coordinated efforts culminated in the execution of a search warrant, leading to two arrests.
During the search of Mejia's and Claussen's home in Stow, authorities recovered $7,880 in cash, 393.8 grams of cocaine, 31.4 grams of fentanyl, and various drug paraphernalia, indicating substantial drug trafficking activities. In light of the discovery, Chief Richard DiPersio praised the diligence of his officers in a statement made by the Hudson Police Department, "Officers Hatstat and O’Toole and Detective Connolly did tremendous work, and I commend their professionalism and determination to remove illegal drugs from the streets. They have made a significant difference, and I am proud of their work."
With the suspects in custody, their legal consequences began to unfold swiftly. Bail was set at a staggering $1 million for Feliz Mejia and $500,000 for Claussen. Both men are scheduled to be arraigned in Middlesex District Court today following their arrest. Chief DiPersio extended his gratitude not only to his department's officers and detectives but also to the law enforcement partners who have played an instrumental role in fully supporting the investigation.
This case underscores the continuation of a bleak narrative that plagues streets not only in Hudson but across cities nationwide. However, it also demonstrates law enforcement’s unwavering commitment to combat illegal drug operations and their consequences. As the police chief hopes, residents may indeed find some solace in these successes, affirming the department's resolve against the peddling of despair in the form of controlled substances.
