BOSTON – A Lowell man was convicted today by a federal jury in Boston of conspiring with others in the Lawrence and Lowell areas to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl.
Bernaldo Rosario Santiago, a/k/a Bori, 27, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and at least 40 grams of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for September 19, 2018.
On May 30, 2017, a large-scale law enforcement operation dismantled two Lawrence-based drug trafficking organizations, one allegedly run by Juan Anibal Patrone, and another allegedly led by Ramon Gonzalez Nival, who was allegedly a source of supply for Patrone. Santiago was arrested and charged along with Patrone, Gonzalez Nival, and 30 co-conspirators.
According to the evidence at trial, Santiago was a redistributor for the organization and dealt in large quantities of fentanyl, which he acquired from Gonzalez Nival and others. On March 1, 2017, Santiago was stopped in Dracut carrying 89 grams of fentanyl in his pocket. In addition, Santiago was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps discussing drug transactions, including the need to “give it more of the…the fentanyl stuff so that those [expletive] fall asleep.”
During the investigation, law enforcement extracted text messages with alleged drug customers from Santiago’s phone, including one text sent to Santiago that read, “Are you coming I’m sick from not doing it.” Gonzalez Nival pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 5, 2018. Patrone has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to stand trial in October 2018.
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $50 million, and forfeiture of any proceeds of the offense or property that facilitated the offense.
Related Federal Cases
- Juan Alexis Diaz Pena, Heroin and Fentanyl Trafficking, NH, 2023 · Maine
- Viviane Cazeau, Bank Fraud Scheme, Massachusetts, 2023 · Florida
- Sergio Hernandez, Conspiracy to Distribute Crack Cocaine, Worcester… · Puerto Rico
- George Noonan, Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy, Portland ME, 2023 · Washington
- Cedric Cromwell, Major Drug Trafficking, Massachusetts, 2020 · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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