Hudson police announce two arrests after yearlong drug trafficking investigation

This story has been updated with new information.

STOW — Two men were arraigned Tuesday on drug charges after a yearlong investigation led to the seizure of large amounts of cocaine and fentanyl, authorities said.

Hudson police , along with Stow police , arrested Charles Claussen, 33, of Stow, and Francis Feliz Meija, 29, of Roxbury, on Friday afternoon at Claussen's home on Great Road (Route 117).

Both men were originally scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Marlborough District Court . But the case was transferred to Concord District Court because the arrests occurred in Stow.

On Tuesday, Claussen was ordered held on $250,000 bail and Meija was ordered held on $100,000 bail. Each is due back in court on Oct. 23 for a pretrial conference.

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"It was a great case," said Hudson Police Chief Richard DiPersio . "Those two street crime officers (Jason Hatstat and Cameron O'Toole) and the detective (James Connolly) put a lot of time in this case, and it culminated in Friday's search warrants and arrests."

Police began an investigation last year into the large sale of drugs in the area. It eventually led them to Claussen and Meija.

DiPersio said the amount of drugs was more than normally seen by street-level dealers.

Police say they seized 'frightening amount of fentanyl'

Last Friday, Hudson and Stow police, along with the FBI and the Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council's SWAT team, served warrants on a vehicle and Claussen's home. Police said they seized 393.8 grams of cocaine (13.89 ounces) and 31.4 grams of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a lab-created opioid, originally created as a painkiller for cancer patients that is much stronger than heroin and is often mixed with other drugs to make them more addictive.

"It's a frightening amount of fentanyl," DiPersio said of the amount seized.

Police also seized $7,880 in cash and other drug paraphernalia.

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Claussen and Meija were each charged with trafficking in cocaine of more than 200 grams and conspiracy to violate the state's drug laws. Meija was also charged with trafficking in fentanyl and Claussen was charged with possession of a Class E substance.

“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," said DiPersio. "They have made a significant difference, and I am proud of their work. I hope residents feel safer knowing our department will not tolerate illegal drugs being sold in our community.”

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Hudson police announce two arrests after yearlong drug trafficking investigation