Angel and Alexander Martinez-Peguero, Heroin Trafficking, Massachusetts 2018

Heroin Trafficking Case Rocks Lawrence, Massachusetts

Two Dominican nationals have been arrested and charged with heroin trafficking in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Angel Martinez-Peguero, 27, and his brother Alexander Martinez-Peguero, 38, were taken into custody yesterday and face serious charges.

According to authorities, the brothers conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Angel Martinez-Peguero was also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The charges carry a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a fine of $1 million, and at least three years of supervised release. The possession of a firearm charge imposes a minimum mandatory sentence of five years in prison to be served consecutive to any sentence imposed for the underlying drug trafficking crime.

The Martinez-Peguero brothers will appear in federal court in Boston this afternoon to face the charges. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling's Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit.

Law enforcement officials seized approximately one kilogram of suspected heroin from the brothers during a law enforcement operation in Lawrence on December 20, 2018. A loaded semi-automatic pistol was also seized from Angel Martinez-Peguero's waistband upon his arrest.

The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Law enforcement officials, including United States Attorney Andrew Lelling, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Division, and Massachusetts State Police Superintendent Colonel Kerry Gilpin, made the announcement.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/two-dominican-nationals-arrested-drug-trafficking