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RI Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Trafficking

BOSTON – Luis Lopez, a/k/a “Juan Gonzalez,” 42, of Tiverton, RI and Fall River, Mass. pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl, possession of fentanyl and acetylfentanyl with the intent to distribute and laundering of monetary instruments.

According to the plea agreement, Lopez imported, at a minimum, 50 to100 kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Massachusetts, and distributed it in New Bedford and Fall River with co-conspirators Chindy Diaz, Israel Santiago, and others. Lopez also conspired with others to distribute heroin, fentanyl and acetylfentanyl.

Lopez admitted that a kilogram of a fentanyl/acetylfentanyl mix that was found at a drug stash house in June belonged to him. Lopez also laundered drug proceeds through Hillside Auto, a used car business he purchased in Fall River in the name of a relative.

If the Court accepts the plea agreement, Lopez will be sentenced to 15 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a money judgement of $2 million and forfeit three properties valued at approximately $1.2 million and numerous vehicles and motorcycles owned by Lopez and Hillside Auto.

Also pleading guilty on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, was Israel Santiago, a/k/a “Reysito,” 39, of Fall River to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Judge Rya W. Zobel took the plea under advisement and scheduled sentencing for Jan. 31, 2017.

Chindy Diaz, Diaz, 38, of New Bedford, pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Judge Zobel took the plea under advisement and scheduled sentencing for Jan. 26, 2017.