Fernando Rivera-Rodriguez, 31, Busted in Fentanyl, Heroin Ring

BOSTON — A sweeping federal crackdown has taken down 23 alleged players in a sprawling heroin and fentanyl trafficking network that poisoned communities across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. At the center: Fernando Rivera-Rodriguez, 31, of Boston, and Fernando Hernandez, 42, of Providence, RI—accused ringleaders of separate but linked drug operations feeding addiction and death from Taunton to Brighton.

According to court documents, Rivera-Rodriguez, a/k/a Alex, a/k/a Antonio Moraima, and Hernandez, a/k/a Mora, led trafficking organizations that pushed lethal doses of heroin and fentanyl from the summer of 2016 through today. The operation spanned multiple cities, with law enforcement executing 12 coordinated raids in Fall River, New Bedford, Bridgewater, Boston, Brighton, and Providence—seizing drugs, cash, and firearms tied to the syndicate.

Charged alongside them are Glendalee Rodriguez, 33, of Fall River; Juan Morales-Ortiz, a/k/a Josiel, 27; Jancer Soto, 25; Jose Camacho, a/k/a Traga, 37; Wilmi Hernandez-Diaz, 21; Yeurys Tejeda, a/k/a Santos, 28; Jose R. Narvaez-Arroyo, a/k/a Pacha, 35; Jeffrey Freitas, 31, of Bridgewater; Isis Y. Lugo-Guerrero, a/k/a Izzy, 44; Jose Negron, a/k/a Edwin Padilla, a/k/a Luisito Bulto, 36; Malvin Berrios, a/k/a Bori, 34; and Roger Longmire, 34, of Taunton. All face federal charges for conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

Hernandez’s ring allegedly operated out of Taunton with help from Jose Arias, 21, Marisa Ruiz, 32, Omar Guzman, 39, and Crystal Rivera, 30—all of Providence, RI. The network supplied drugs to local dealers, including Stephanie O’Sullivan, 30; John Paul Tanguay, 33; Daniel Wren, 31; and David Tejeda, 34, of New Bedford, who allegedly redistributed the poison deeper into the region—even reaching into Maine, federal prosecutors say.

“The defendants in this case knew the drugs they were distributing were potent and potentially lethal, yet they brazenly ignored the dangers,” said Acting U.S. Attorney William D. Weinreb. “Today’s arrests will help stem the flow of heroin and fentanyl into our communities.” Yeurvs Tejeda and Carlos Gonzalez-Figueroa, 32, remain fugitives.

“DEA is committed to dismantling large-scale violent fentanyl and heroin trafficking organizations,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “Those who profit from spreading this poison need to be held accountable.” Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, emphasized that the Taunton area, one of the hardest-hit opioid zones in the state, will feel the impact of today’s takedown. The defendants were arraigned in U.S. District Court in Boston and are now in federal custody.