On Friday, a Bristol County man underwent a dangerousness hearing following his arrest in connection with a drug trafficking investigation.
Massachusetts State Police reported that a thorough investigation was conducted by the Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team – South into narcotics trafficking. The focus of the investigation was on Jason Hodo, a 33-year-old resident of Taunton, who was suspected of distributing significant amounts of fentanyl and cocaine in Rhode Island, as well as in Plymouth and Bristol Counties in Massachusetts. To gather evidence, investigators carried out extensive traditional and covert surveillance, conducted record checks, and analyzed intelligence. Based on their findings, warrants were obtained to search all locations associated with Hodo for controlled substances.
In June, law enforcement officers trailed Hodo in his car as he left the Rhode Island establishment and made his way to a gas station in Taunton. Hodo was apprehended, searched, and subsequently arrested upon the discovery of fentanyl and cocaine in his possession. Following this, the authorities executed search warrants at various locations in both states, without any complications.
During the searches conducted in Massachusetts, law enforcement officers were able to confiscate around 528 grams of fentanyl, 206 grams of cocaine, and a sum of almost $22,000 from Hodo’s person and vehicle. Subsequently, Hodo was transferred to State Police-Middleboro in order to be booked on charges pertaining to the trafficking of Class A and Class B substances.
During the search of the Rhode Island location, the Rhode Island State Police made the following discoveries: two firearms equipped with high-capacity magazines, around 12 grams of fentanyl, almost $19,000 in cash, various valuable gold bars, jewelry items, and a diamond/gold chain accompanied by a receipt indicating its worth as $103,000.
Hodo entered a plea of not guilty during his arraignment in Fall River Superior Court. He was then held without bail until a dangerousness hearing, which is set to take place on Friday.
Hodo remains held without bail as the court considers the issue of dangerousness on Friday in Fall River Superior Court.
The pre-trial conference in February is where he is expected to make his next court appearance.
