Two Arraigned on Charges of Trafficking Fentanyl in Lawrence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SALEM, Mass. – September 23, 2025 – In Essex County Superior Court today, Jason Ruel, 44, of Northfield, New Hampshire, and Christopher Porkka, 31, of West Yarmouth, Massachusetts, were arraigned and charged with trafficking more than 200 grams of fentanyl and possession of a Class B drug, the Office of Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker states.

Both Ruel and Porkka pleaded not guilty to each charge. The charges stem from a May 23 arrest in which a Massachusetts State Police trooper reported finding a large quantity of suspected fentanyl, as well as some suspected crystalized methamphetamine, in a vehicle that was stopped after entering Lawrence on Interstate 495. It is alleged that Ruel was the driver and Porkka the passenger in the vehicle, which was registered in New Hampshire.

The Hon. Thomas Drechsler set bail at $250,000 for Ruel and $25,000 for Porkka. Assistant District Attorney Margaret Morrissey handled the arraignment on behalf of the Commonwealth. Ruel was represented by attorney James Klotz, while Porkka was represented by attorney Pamela Love Rogers.

The defendants, who attended the arraignment via Zoom, are scheduled to return to court for a pretrial conference in November.

All suspects and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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