QUINCY, MA – A brazen attempt to trade deadly fentanyl for firearms landed a Quincy man in federal custody yesterday. Caesar Ross, 39, is accused of offering 60 grams of the potent opioid in exchange for four handguns, all bearing no serial numbers – ghost guns designed to evade law enforcement tracking.
The deal went down in Quincy, according to court documents, with Ross allegedly meeting a cooperating witness. He reportedly handed over the fentanyl in return for a Beretta 92F, 9 parabellum pistol; a Beretta 96 Brigadier elite IA, .40S&W pistol; a Glock 22, .40S&W pistol; and a FN Herstal 5.7, 5.7×28 pistol. ATF agents were waiting to take Ross into custody immediately after the exchange.
This isn’t a simple drug bust. Ross is a convicted felon, legally prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition. Adding to the severity, the investigation – which began in 2022 – suggests Ross was involved in broader firearms trafficking operations. Authorities haven’t released details on potential co-conspirators at this time.
“This case allegedly involves the deadly cocktail of fentanyl and firearms,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Our office is committed to do everything in our power to reduce the number of illegal guns on the streets and the amount of fentanyl that is sold in our communities.” The feds are clearly framing this as a key victory in the ongoing war against both the opioid crisis and illegal gun proliferation.
James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Boston Field Division, emphasized the collaborative nature of the operation, highlighting the involvement of the DEA and the Quincy Police Department. “This alleged illegal activity will not be tolerated, and ATF will continue to aggressively partner with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to target traffickers,” he said. The case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime.
Ross is now facing a hefty prison sentence if convicted. He’s charged with one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The first charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years, while the drug charge could put him behind bars for up to 20 years. He was detained pending a hearing scheduled for September 8th. As with all criminal cases, Ross is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Related Federal Cases
- Juan Alexis Diaz Pena, Heroin and Fentanyl Trafficking, NH, 2023 · Massachusetts
- Luciano Schipelliti, Crypto Investment Scam, Haverhill MA, 2021 · Massachusetts
- Luciano Schipelliti, Crypto Investment Scam, Haverhill MA, 2021 · Massachusetts
- Gerardo Heriberto Nuñez Nuñez, Elder Fraud Scheme, Boston MA, 2026 · Ohio
- Luciano Schipelliti, $700K Investment Scam, Boston MA, 2023 · Ohio
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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