Denzel Chisholm, Fentanyl Trafficking, Massachusetts 2017

BOSTON, MA - In a major blow to the Nauti Block gang, a leader was sentenced to 28.5 years in prison for his role in a massive heroin and fentanyl trafficking operation on Cape Cod.

Denzel Chisholm, 26, of West Yarmouth, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris to 342 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release. His associate, Molly London, 33, of Hyannis, was sentenced to 20 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

In June 2017, Chisholm and London were convicted of various drug charges related to their roles in the heroin and fentanyl trafficking operation. Chisholm was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, nine counts of possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, and one count of conspiracy to distribute suboxone, which was intended to be trafficked into MCI-Norfolk prison.

London was convicted of aiding and abetting Chisholm and maintaining a residence for drug purposes. The couple was part of a larger gang that distributed massive quantities of heroin throughout lower Cape Cod.

During a search of London's home, 77 grams of heroin were found in a Starbucks cup and a 55-pound package of mannitol (a heroin cutting agent) was found by her bed. Previously intercepted text messages and phone calls indicated that London made her home available to Chisholm just before Chisholm engaged in heroin transactions.

Chisholm distributed massive quantities of heroin throughout lower Cape Cod, using other individuals, including London, to store and deliver the heroin, then sold it to numerous co-conspirators. Fifteen of Chisholm and London's co-conspirators have pleaded guilty to various drug distribution and conspiracy charges and seven have been sentenced.

Chisholm and co-defendant Tyrone Gomes also face state charges for the 2015 murder of Christine Ferreira at a rest stop on Route 6 on Cape Cod.

The investigation, which began in April 2016, led to the arrest of 13 members of the Nauti Block gang on federal drug trafficking and firearms charges. Two subsequent superseding indictments brought the total number of defendants charged in the case to 19.

Acting U.S. Attorney William D. Weinreb, Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division, Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe, and Barnstable Police Chief Paul MacDonald made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen and Miranda Hooker of Weinreb's Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/cape-cod-gang-leader-sentenced-285-years-prison