Ross A. Atstupenas
Chief of Police
15 St. Paul St.
Blackstone, MA 01504
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2014
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]
Statement of Blackstone Police Chief Ross Atstupenas Regarding Drug Conviction
One of Largest Cocaine Cases in Blackstone History Successfully Prosecuted
BLACKSTONE — Police Chief Ross Atstupenas today praised the successful conviction and sentencing of a major drug dealer, which represented one of the largest cocaine busts in the department’s history.
On Thursday, Oct. 2014 Worcester Superior Court Judge James Lemire sentenced Dwayne Robinson-Ohagan to 4-5 years in the Massachusetts Correctional Institution — Cedar Junction for charges related to his arrest in 2011 by the Blackstone Police Department.
“This week, one of the most prolific drug pushers ever to target our community has been sentenced to serve hard time for his crimes. Drug abuse and distribution are two of the greatest evils in our society, and the Blackstone Police Department will continue to aggressively pursue dealers and suppliers and bring them to justice,” Chief Atstupenas said. “I want to praise the work of our Blackstone Police Detectives, our partners in municipal law enforcement, the Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, and, last but not last, the prosecutors out of the Worcester District Attorney’s Office, who brought this case to a successful conclusion.”
In early 2011 the Blackstone Police Department, in cooperation with the Blackstone Valley Drug Task Force, began a narcotics investigation involving the sale and distribution of cocaine in the area of Canal Street in Blackstone. As a result of the investigation, officers were able to secure a search warrant for the apartment being rented by Robinson-Ohagan.
Upon searching the apartment, detectives recovered almost 500 grams of cocaine and over $14,000.00 in cash. Also found was paraphernalia and equipment used in the packaging and distribution of cocaine. It represented one of the largest cocaine seizures in the history of the department.
Blackstone Police Detectives who worked the case were especially satisfied with the conviction, considering Robinson-Ohagan was seen as a large-scale distributor who had eluded investigations by larger agencies, including federal law enforcement, in the past.
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