BOSTON – Forty people have been charged with federal drug offenses, and at least a dozen more individuals face state charges, as part of a 10-week coordinated enforcement operation in the Merrimack Valley called “Devil’s Highway.”  

The 10-week enforcement operation, which took place during the summer months, was a coordinated effort by federal, state, and local partners to focus on drug distribution activity in the City of Lawrence and between Lawrence and destinations in New Hampshire. The operation targeted the distribution of opioids, including fentanyl and heroin, and resulted in charges against a total of 40 people for federal drug offenses, with at least a dozen more individuals facing state charges. In total, Operation Devil’s Highway resulted in the seizure of more than 14 kilograms of fentanyl, five kilograms of heroin, 29 kilograms of cocaine, four firearms, and body armor.

“Operation Devil’s Highway was tremendously successful in targeting street-level drug trafficking in Lawrence, which is a hub of illegal drug distribution for all of New England,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “This kind of operation can only succeed with the full commitment of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, coupled with realistic planning to target the most prolific drug distributors. This will not be the last time we target drug dealers in Lawrence or their customers from points north.”

“Operation Devil’s Highway should serve as a warning to others thinking of filling the void created by these arrests—we aren’t finished. Everyone arrested this summer allegedly exploited Lawrence as their drug-trafficking hub, bringing perilous opioids like fentanyl and heroin - in addition to cocaine and marijuana - to neighborhoods across New England,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “That’s why the FBI and our law enforcement partners will not relent in putting those distributors profiting from addiction and lawlessness out of business, so that the hometowns they harm might heal.”

“DEA’s top priority is combatting the opioid epidemic by bringing to justice anyone who distributes deadly drugs,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Illegal drug distribution ravages the very foundations of our families and communities. These enforcement actions with our federal, state and local partners show what happens when law enforcement works together.”

“The scourge of addiction continues to be fueled by Transnational Criminal Organizations who flood the streets of our commonwealth with poison. Motivated only by profit, we know all too well, that tackling this complex threat involves a united, comprehensive strategy and an aggressive approach by multiple entities across all levels of government,” said Jason J. Molina, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston. “The results of this operation should send a clear message that HSI Special Agents remain committed to combatting the opioid crisis by pursuing traffickers at every level of the supply chain.” 

The majority of criminal charges resulted from weekly “sweeps” in the City of Lawrence that targeted individuals distributing opioids. The enforcement actions brought together 40-60 federal, state, and local officers from Massachusetts and New Hampshire each week to conduct surveillance, investigate and arrest defendants.

During the operation, the following defendants were arrested on federal charges:

Jason Medlen, 32, of Lisbon Falls, Maine, charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl;

Louis Delvecchio, 51, of Brunswick, Maine, charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl;

Santos Obispo Guerrero Lara, 35, of Lawrence, charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl;

Douglas “Sunny” Grasso, 34, of Georgetown, charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl;

Brian Brea, 35, of Lawrence, charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl; 

Enel Alfredo Mendez Aquino, 29, of Lawrence, charged with distribution of fentanyl and cocaine;

Jorge Alexander Andujar Romero, 29, of Lawrence, charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl;

Edward Jesis Mar Carmona Ortiz, 42, of Lawrence, charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl;

Steven de Jesus de Leon Trinidad, 22, of Lawrence, charged with distribution and possession with intent to distribute a heroin/fentanyl mix;

Luis Felix Franco Herrera, 21, of Lawrence, charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl;

Jose Rodriquez-Walker, 32, of Lawrence, charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and cocaine base;

Johanny Mejia-Nunez, 43, of Philadelphia, Penn., charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl;

Ronyel Pena, 18, of Lawrence, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl;

Jose Martinez, 24, of Lawrence, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition;

Ysrael Nunez, 37, of Lawrence, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; and aiding and abetting;

William Cabrera, 30, of Lawrence, charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute heroin; and possession with intent to distribute heroin and oxycodone;

Oscar Guadalupe Martinez, 37, of North Andover, charged with conspiracy with intent to distribute and distribution of 1 kilogram or more of heroin;

Stiven Torres Martinez, 21, of North Andover, charged with conspiracy with intent to distribute and distribution of 1 kilogram or more of heroin;

Jason Jimenez, 24, of Bronx, N.Y., charged with possession with intent to distribute over 40 grams of fentanyl;

Milton Elias Lara, 42, of Lawrence, charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl;

Alexsander Padro, 28, of Methuen, charged with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of  heroin and 40 grams or more of fentanyl;

John Mena, 24, of Lawrence, charged with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 10 grams or more of fentanyl;

Yunior Darismir Prandys Torres, 22, of Lawrence, charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute a controlled substance, to wit, fentanyl;

Juan Perez Diaz, 22, of Lawrence, charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute a controlled substance, to wit, fentanyl;

Jose Ventura, 37, of Lawrence, charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 10 grams or more of fentanyl;

Leisy Baez-Zapata, 21, of Lawrence, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; and aiding and abetting;

Erick Alberto Paulino Amador, 28, of Lawrence, charged with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl;

Bernardito Carvajal, 28, of Haverhill, charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl;

Alfredo Rivera, 31, of Haverhill, charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl;

Julio Esthil-Cifre, 30, of Lawrence, charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl;

Edgar Castro, 45, of Revere, charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine;

Julio Ortiz 47, of Boston, charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine;

Crishanty Aybar Arias, 22, of Lawrence, charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl;

Cesar Lara Castillo, 36, of Lawrence, charged with possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I controlled substance; false representation of social security number, and aggravated identity theft;

Santiago Rubel Guerrero Tejeda, 22, of Lawrence, charged with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl;

Jesus Maria Aybar Franco, 34, of Lawrence, charged with distribution and  possession with intent to distribute fentanyl;

Marino Amador Baez, 34, of Lawrence, charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl;

Willin Arias-Castillo, 35, of Lawrence, charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Julio Cruz, 21, of Lawrence, charged with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl;

Jonathan Marquez, 32, of Lawrence, charged with distribution of fentanyl.

 

The federal charge of drug distribution provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a $1 million fine. The charge of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a $5 million fine. Charges of distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl and distribution of five kilograms or more of cocaine each provide for a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a $10 million fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Lelling, FBI Boston SAC Bonavolonta, DEA Boston SAC Boyle and HSI Boston Acting SAC Molina made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and New Hampshire State Police; the Lawrence Police Department; the Andover, Billerica, Boston, Braintree, Chelsea, Concord, Dartmouth, Dover (N.H.), Franklin, Haverhill, Lowell, Manchester (N.H.), Methuen, Milton, Nashua (N.H.), North Andover, Peabody, Portsmouth (N.H.), Reading, Waltham, Watertown, and Woburn Police Departments; Massachusetts Department of Corrections; New Hampshire Department of Corrections; and Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk County Sheriff’s Departments.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – Eight men have been charged in three indictments on narcotics and money laundering offenses. The indictments are the result of a 14-month wiretap investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking organization supplied by sources in Mexico and spanning at least four states.  

1. Miguel Betancourt, 50, of Springfield, was charged with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and money laundering conspiracy;

2. Isaac Cardona, 31, of Springfield, was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, conspiring to traffic at least one kilogram of heroin, and money laundering conspiracy;

3. Rafael Cardona Sr., 58, of Springfield, was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and conspiring to traffic at least one kilogram of heroin;

4. Victor Hugo Gonzalez, 27, of Perris, Calif., was charged with conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and money laundering conspiracy;

5. Jose Martinez, 32, of Lehigh Acres, Fla., was charged with conspiring to traffic at least one kilogram of heroin, and money laundering conspiracy;

6. Carlos Mares Jr., 39, of Springfield, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine;

7. Lorenzo Deconinck, 59, of Jamaica, Vt., was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine; and

8. Juan Ramos, 37, of Wardsboro, Vt., was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Betancourt, Rafael Cardona Sr., Isaac Cardona, Mares, Deconinck, and Ramos were arrested yesterday and arraigned in federal court in Springfield. Gonzalez was arrested and made his initial appearance in Irvine, Calif., on Oct. 6, 2017, but failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment in Springfield on Nov. 1, 2017. He is currently a fugitive.

A ninth co-conspirator, David Cruz, 40, of Westfield, Mass., was arrested in September 2016 and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug offense, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 6, 2018.

According to court documents, Betancourt, the Cardonas, Gonzalez, and Martinez conspired with Cruz to traffic cocaine and heroin from Mexico, through California, to the Springfield area and into New England. The conspiracy involved approximately 32 kilograms of cocaine and at least one kilogram of pure fentanyl.

Cruz allegedly received his first shipment of cocaine from his drug sources in Mexico in the summer of 2015. Cruz distributed five kilograms of that cocaine to Betancourt, leaving Betancourt with a large drug debt. In an attempt to pay down his drug debt, it is alleged that Betancourt used his Enfield, Conn., used-car dealership, State Line Auto Sales LLC, to convey two vehicles to Cruz and register them in Massachusetts in the name of a third-party. In December 2015, Betancourt used a bank account held in the name of the dealership to wire $9,500 of Cruz’s drug proceeds to a bank account in Michoacán, Mexico, held by a relative of one of his Mexican cocaine sources.  

It is further alleged that Cruz received additional shipments of cocaine from his Mexican sources in late 2015 and August 2016. In July 2016, the Mexican drug sources sent Gonzalez from California to Westfield, Mass., to oversee the arrival of a shipment of cocaine. According to surveillance videos, on Aug.2, 2016, the cocaine arrived, concealed in a vehicle, and Cruz and Gonzalez unloaded more than five kilograms of cocaine from the vehicle in a parking lot. Cruz then broke down and repackaged the cocaine for distribution in Vermont and Massachusetts, where approximately one and a half kilograms of cocaine was distributed to Isaac Cardona in early August 2016.  

At the direction of the Mexican sources and Cruz, Gonzalez, and another co-conspirator, then deposited the cash proceeds from the cocaine sales into multiple accounts held by third parties in amounts under $10,000 in order to avoid triggering the banks’ reporting requirements.

The indictments also allege that Isaac Cardona owed Cruz money for one kilogram of the cocaine Cruz had distributed to him, and, in order to pay down that debt, Isaac Cardona, Rafael Cardona Sr., Martinez, Cruz, and other co-conspirators conspired to import at least one kilogram of heroin (which turned out to be pure fentanyl) from sources in Mexico. In late August 2016, Isaac Cardona and Martinez traveled by car to San Diego, Calif., with cash to pay for the heroin. Cruz later traveled to San Diego, retrieved the car and the cash, and, on Sept. 8, 2016, used the cash to purchase what he believed to be one kilogram of heroin. According to court proceedings, law enforcement in California seized the vehicle and recovered approximately one kilogram of pure fentanyl. 

It is alleged that Mares, Deconinck, and Ramos purchased cocaine from Cruz for redistribution.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin provide for a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $8 million. With a prior felony drug conviction, the charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and up to life in prison, at least 10 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $20 million. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. With a prior felony drug conviction, the charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least eight years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $8 million. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of $1 million. The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of not more than $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the money laundering. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. DEA’s Carlsbad Resident Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Westfield Police Department assisted in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katharine A. Wagner of Lelling’s Springfield Office is prosecuting the case

The details contained in the indictments are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.