Drug Searches Aboard New Bedford Fishing Boats Net Eight Arrests

Eight people have been arrested after drug raids on New Bedford fishing boats.

National, state, and local law enforcement officials conducted a two-day drug search operaton on New Bedford's waterfront, seizing heroin and opiates that fishermen were intending to use at sea.

Major Patrick Moran of the Massachusetts Environmental Police tells WBSM News he hopes the operation sends a clear message to fishermen. "We're trying to stem the flow of personal-use drugs that are heading out to sea," says Moran. "And that came about because of the tragedies that we're seeing where people are overdosing at sea aboard fishing vessels."

Moran says though the eight people arrested face possession charges, the goal of the operation is to get them help to curb their addiction.

A similar operation was conducted last month, netting two arrests.