Carlos Rodriguez, 42, Charged in Fentanyl Trafficking Ring

BOSTON — Carlos Rodriguez, 42, of Lawrence, is at the center of a federal fentanyl and heroin trafficking indictment that has ensnared ten individuals across central Massachusetts. Rodriguez, along with his brother Ernesto Rodriguez, 48, and Joshua Sanchez, 27, both also of Lawrence, and Jorge Burgos, 39, of Leominster, was charged today in federal court in Worcester following a sweeping joint investigation by federal and state authorities.

The four men face charges of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 100 grams of heroin and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute, and use of a telecommunications facility to facilitate drug trafficking. Sanchez and Burgos appeared in court today and were ordered detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Feb. 16, 2018. Carlos and Ernesto Rodriguez are set to appear in federal court tomorrow.

Court documents reveal a tightly wired network exposed through multiple wiretaps. In November and December 2017, law enforcement monitored Burgos as he repeatedly purchased heroin from Carlos and Ernesto Rodriguez for resale. On Dec. 19, 2017, agents stopped Sanchez after he left Carlos Rodriguez’s home and seized approximately 60 grams of suspected heroin and fentanyl. The next day, after intercepts indicated a 50-gram delivery from Carlos Rodriguez to Burgos, agents pulled over Rodriguez’s vehicle and recovered the suspected narcotics.

Further investigation led to the discovery of at least 100 additional grams of suspected heroin and fentanyl linked to Ernesto Rodriguez. Wiretapped conversations captured Carlos Rodriguez discussing with Burgos how he had been stopped by agents en route to Leominster and where to hide a firearm from law enforcement. On Dec. 27, 2017, more intercepted calls from Burgos’ phone indicated the presence of multiple firearms concealed on his property.

The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office charged six others in connection with the ring. Jose Ortiz, 57; Roberto Ortiz, 58; and Gilberto Victoriano, 51, all of Worcester, face two counts each of heroin distribution and conspiracy to violate drug laws. The Ortiz brothers are also charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute. Roberto Ortiz and Victoriano face up to 2.5 years in the House of Correction; Jose Ortiz faces 3.5 to 15 years in state prison. Caroline Cartagena, 43, of Worcester, was charged with trafficking over 200 grams of cocaine and faces 12 to 20 years. Tina Murphy, 40, of Shirley, was charged with distributing fentanyl and conspiracy, facing up to 2.5 years. One defendant remains at-large.

The charge of conspiring to distribute over 100 grams of heroin carries a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a $5 million fine. Possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl carries up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. Use of a telecommunications device in a drug crime adds up to life in supervised release and significant prison time. The investigation underscores the deadly reach of opioid networks in Massachusetts communities.

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