Juan Santos Roque, Fentanyl and Heroin Trafficking, Massachusetts 2020

Boston, Massachusetts – In a shocking turn of events, a Dominican national was sentenced to 63 months in prison and two years of supervised release for his involvement in a heroin and fentanyl trafficking operation in Massachusetts.

Juan Santos Roque, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns for his role in the trafficking of large quantities of heroin and fentanyl in the state.

According to court documents, in 2019, Santos Roque’s co-defendant, James De La Cruz, arranged for the sale of 10 kilograms of fentanyl and six kilograms of heroin to a confidential informant at a hotel in Peabody. On October 21, 2019, Santos Roque and De La Cruz drove from New York and arrived separately at the meeting location.

Santos Roque had stored 16 kilograms of heroin and fentanyl in a hidden compartment in his vehicle. When Santos Roque arrived at the hotel parking lot, he met with the confidential informant and handed over the 16 separate drug packages. Agents then took both men into custody.

De La Cruz pleaded guilty on May 7, 2021, and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 6, 2021. Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Massachusetts State Police and the Peabody Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Hassink of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

The exact criminal charges against Santos Roque include conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and 400 grams or more of fentanyl. The crime date was in 2019, and the sentencing took place on an unspecified date in the press release. Santos Roque is currently serving a 63-month prison sentence and will have two years of supervised release after his release.

The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against narcotics trafficking in Massachusetts and the importance of law enforcement collaboration in preventing such crimes.

In related news, De La Cruz, Santos Roque’s co-defendant, is also facing charges for his role in the trafficking operation. His sentencing is scheduled for October 6, 2021.

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