REVERE, Mass. — A suspected undocumented immigrant is facing firearm and drug trafficking charges after a bust at a state-run emergency family shelter in Revere.
Leonardo Andujar Sanchez, 28, originally from the Dominican Republic, is being held without bail after being deemed dangerous by a Chelsea District Court judge.
Authorities said Sanchez was caught with an AR-15 rifle at the Quality Inn on Morris Street off Route 1.
A search warrant reportedly led investigators to five kilos of fentanyl and cocaine, bricks, and smaller amounts packaged for sale inside a hotel room on the third floor.
“There is zero tolerance for criminal activity in EA shelters,” said Noah R. Bombard with the Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities. “We took immediate action to terminate this individual from the EA system, and we confirmed with federal immigration officials that they have lodged a detainer.”
Law enforcement sources told Boston 25 News that the drugs that were seized have an estimated street value of at least $750,000.
Large-capacity magazines and ammunition were also recovered.
Andujar is due back in court for a probable cause hearing on 11 felony charges in February.
“This individual was preying upon vulnerable people while threatening the safety and wellbeing of our entire community. The City of Revere and the Revere Police Department will continue to uphold the laws of the Commonwealth and work to protect every person that calls Revere home,” said a statement from Revere Mayor Patrick M. Keefe, Jr.
Some neighbors who live behind the Quality Inn told Boston 25 News that they signed a petition to try to stop the hotel from turning into an emergency shelter that houses migrants due to safety concerns.
A father of a 1-year-old said he’s been thinking about moving because of late-night activity and believes this drug bust validates his family’s concerns.
The Quality Inn in Revere is among 128 hotels and motels that have been used as emergency shelters across the state of Massachusetts since September 2022.
The state has vowed to phase out the use of hotels and motels for emergency shelter over the next 18 months.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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