Investigators Seized Numerous Drugs, Machine Guns
A man with ties to the Brockton-based Harvard Street Gang was sentenced yesterday in Boston federal court to twelve years in prison.
Twenty-nine-year-old Joshua Tavares of Brockton will also be on five years supervised release after serving the sentence.
U.S. Attorney Leah Foley says that Tavares pleaded guilty to three counts of distributing and possessing fentanyl.
He was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2024.
As a member of the street gang, authorities say that Tavares conducted six sales of fentanyl to a cooperating witness.
The transactions were captured on video.
Following the controlled purchases, investigators executed arrest and search warrants at multiple residences and seized fentanyl, cocaine, drug packaging materials, and over $89,000 in cash.
Investigators say they also recovered a pistol with a machine gun conversion device and multiple loaded magazines and ammunition.
Authorities say that last month, eight members and associates of the Harvard Street Gang were arrested on drug and firearm offenses.
Since 2019, over 20 leaders, members, and associates of the gang have been charged with state and federal drug trafficking and firearm crimes.
Over 100 kilograms of drugs and over 45 firearms including multiple machineguns have been seized.
Authorities say the gang has been involved with violence, murders, shootings, and witness intimidation.