James De La Cruz, Fentanyl Trafficking, Massachusetts 2019

Two men from New York have been arrested and charged with fentanyl trafficking in a federal court in Boston, Massachusetts.

James De La Cruz, 28, and Juan Santos Roque, 46, were arrested on Monday, October 21, 2019, in Peabody, Mass., and are currently in federal custody pending a detention hearing.

According to the indictment, De La Cruz had spoken with a cooperating witness several times in September and October 2019, and met with the witness to arrange a large shipment of fentanyl from New York to the Boston area.

On October 21, 2019, De La Cruz and Santos Roque drove from New York to Peabody, Mass., with approximately 10 kilograms of suspected fentanyl and six kilograms of suspected heroin in a hidden compartment in Santos Roque's vehicle.

After meeting with the cooperating witness, law enforcement agents arrested both men. The charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $10 million.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Jason Molina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; the Massachusetts State Police; the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office; and the Dartmouth and Peabody Police Departments.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Hassink of Lelling's Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/two-new-york-men-charged-fentanyl-trafficking