Gonzalez and Roman, Large Scale Drug Conspiracy, Massachusetts 2014

Crime on the Rise: Large Scale Drug Conspiracy Uncovered in Western Massachusetts

A Holyoke man and a Chicopee man have been charged in connection with operating a scheme to transport drugs and cash between Texas and western Massachusetts, authorities announced yesterday. The indictment alleges that the two men used tractor trailers to drive to Texas to pick up kilograms of cocaine and heroin from their Mexican supply source, and then sold the drugs in Massachusetts.

Javier Gonzalez, 44, of Holyoke, and Jamil Roman, 38, of Chicopee, were indicted on one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. They were charged in a criminal complaint and arrested in March 2014.

According to court documents, Gonzalez used tractor trailers associated with his business, JGL Truck Sales, to transport the drugs and cash. To conceal the illicit cargo, he had the vehicles modified to contain hidden compartments. On one occasion, Gonzalez was stopped in Agawam by law enforcement as he drove the JGL tractor trailer south. During a search of the tractor trailer, $1.17 million was recovered from a hidden compartment of the cab. Additionally, $350,000 was recovered from the residence of Roman.

The charge of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin provides for a sentence of no greater than a lifetime in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $10 million and restitution. The charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine provides for a sentence of no greater than 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $5 million and restitution.

The indictment marks a significant blow to the large-scale drug trafficking operation that has plagued western Massachusetts for years. The investigation, which began in January 2014, was a joint effort between law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division, made the announcement.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neil L. Desroches and Kevin O’Regan of Ortiz’s Springfield Office. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about the operation to come forward. The community is encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant: Javier Gonzalez, Jamil Roman; Charges: One count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine; City and State: Holyoke, Massachusetts; Date: March 2014; Sentence or Outcome: Currently pending; Dollar Amounts: $1.17 million, $350,000.

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