Heroin Kayak Kingpin Gets 57 Months

BURLINGTON, VT – Freddy Rodriguez, 40, of West Warwick, Rhode Island, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 57 months for his role in a brazen attempt to smuggle heroin into Canada. Chief U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss handed down the sentence on July 21, 2025, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Rodriguez pleaded guilty in September 2023 to conspiring to export the deadly drug.

The bust went down on the frigid shores of Missisquoi Bay on Lake Champlain in Highgate, Vermont, during the overnight hours of September 18-19, 2023. U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents caught Rodriguez red-handed, attempting to launch a kayak packed with roughly 12 kilograms of suspected narcotics. His destination: the Canadian side of the lake.

This wasn’t some amateur operation. Agents staked out a property Rodriguez had rented, observing him load the kayak and prepare for a rendezvous with a waiting boat. A search of his Ford F150 revealed a hidden compartment – a sophisticated “trap” built under the rear seats – designed for concealing large quantities of drugs or cash. Recovered text messages painted a clear picture: Rodriguez anticipated a hefty payout in cash and MDMA (ecstasy) for his illicit delivery.

Laboratory analysis confirmed the grim contents of the kayak: approximately 10 kilograms of heroin. That’s enough to fuel addiction and devastation across multiple communities. The operation highlights the constant flow of narcotics attempting to cross our northern border, and the dedication of federal agents working to intercept it.

Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher lauded the USBP and HSI teams for their meticulous overnight surveillance, safe apprehension of Rodriguez, and discovery of the hidden compartment in his vehicle. “This case demonstrates the commitment of our federal law enforcement partners to disrupting drug trafficking and protecting our communities,” Drescher stated.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Lasher prosecuted the case. Rodriguez was represented by William J. Keefe, Esq. The sentence sends a clear message: attempting to profit from the misery caused by heroin will result in significant federal prison time. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this and other federal cases as they develop.