Yamal Gonzalez, Heroin Trafficking, Massachusetts 2015

Heroin Trafficking Bust in Boston: Yamal Gonzalez and Jose Polanco Arrested

BOSTON - In a major blow to the city's heroin trade, two Boston men were arrested on federal charges related to heroin and cocaine trafficking. Yamal Gonzalez, 33, and Jose Polanco, 33, were taken into custody following a DEA raid on multiple locations used by the drug traffickers.

According to the DEA, the investigation, which lasted three months, revealed that Gonzalez was selling heroin to a cooperating witness on multiple occasions. The investigation also uncovered the use of three locations in the operation, including 1431 Commonwealth Avenue, Apartment 9, in Brighton; 15 School Street, Apartment 2, in Dorchester; and 457 Massachusetts Avenue, Apartment 2, in Roxbury.

On Friday, April 10, 2015, federal agents observed Gonzalez and Polanco exiting the School Street apartment in Dorchester and walking towards their vehicles. Officers converged on the two men, and Gonzalez was arrested, searched, and found to be in possession of 80 grams of heroin and one-half ounce of cocaine. Polanco initially fled but was quickly arrested and found to be in possession of a plastic corn starch container with 300 grams of heroin inside.

Agents executed federal search warrants at the School Street apartment, the Commonwealth Avenue apartment in Brighton, and the Massachusetts Avenue apartment in Roxbury, seizing a large quantity of evidence, including six kilograms of heroin, one and one-half kilograms of cocaine, a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, and a large sum of cash.

The charging statutes provide for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $1 million. Gonzalez was charged with distribution of heroin, and Polanco was charged with conspiracy to possess heroin with intent to distribute and possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenn A. Mackinlay of Ortiz's Organized Crime and Gang Unit. The investigation was conducted by the DEA, the Massachusetts State Police, the Somerville, Cambridge, Arlington, Ipswich, and Boston Police Departments, and the Essex County Sheriff's Office.

The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. A detention hearing is scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/dea-seizes-large-quantity-heroin-cocaine-and-firearm-boston-drug-traffickers