A New Bedford man has pleaded guilty to his role in a fentanyl trafficking ring operating in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
José Santiago, 46, pleaded guilty on February 12, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Between approximately April 2022 and approximately June 2022, Santiago purchased fentanyl from a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) that he then redistributed to others.
Intercepted calls captured Santiago discussing purchasing fentanyl from the DTO.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.
Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes that govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division, New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira, and Fairhaven Police Chief Michael J. Myers made the announcement today.
Special assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, Bristol County Sherriff’s Office, and Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Scituate, Yarmouth, Providence (R.I.) and West Warwick (R.I.) Police Departments.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.
Related Federal Cases
- Rafael Cesar Cabreja Jimenez, Fentanyl Conspiracy, Massachusetts 2022 · Texas
- Jose Perez, Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Massachusetts 2024 · Puerto Rico
- Rafael Cesar Cabreja Jimenez, Fentanyl Conspiracy, Massachusetts 2024 · Rhode Island
- Jovani Santiago, Fentanyl Trafficking, Massachusetts 2021 · New Hampshire
- Jose A. Ventura, Fentanyl Distribution, Massachusetts 2019 · New Hampshire
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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