Torres Arrested on Cocaine Charges

A Mattapan man was arrested last evening and charged in U.S. District Court in Boston today in connection with cocaine distribution. Francisco Torres, 36, was charged in a criminal complaint with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute and distributing cocaine.

According to the complaint affidavit, authorities were concerned about the fact that Torres had ready access to secure locations at Logan International Airport, access to aircraft and loading ramps at the airport through his employment at JetBlue Airways. This access raised concerns about the potential for large-scale cocaine distribution.

Last evening, Torres was arrested in the South End of Boston following a sting operation, where he was caught allegedly exchanging 850 grams of cocaine for more than $33,000 in cash which was in a paper bag. Immediately after the exchange, officers approached Torres who threw the bag of money over a fence. Officers arrested Torres and recovered the money.

Torres was detained following an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Page Kelley. The charging statute provides for a minimum of five years and 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. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.

Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Matthew Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and William Ferrara, Director of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, made the announcement today.

The New Hampshire State Police also assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. McNeil and Christine Wichers of Weinreb’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case. The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The investigation and subsequent arrest of Torres highlight the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat cocaine distribution and other federal crimes in the Boston area. The case against Torres is a reminder that those who engage in such activities will be held accountable to the full extent of the law.

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