A Lynn resident was arrested in Boston on charges connected to a multi-year drug conspiracy and an armed robbery that took place in January 2023. Harvey Rodriguez, also known as “Big Opp,” age 29, faces one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery under the Hobbs Act. Rodriguez was detained following his initial appearance in federal court.
Court documents allege that Rodriguez participated in a drug trafficking operation centered around Lynn and the North Shore area of Massachusetts. He is accused of working with several other distributors, some of whom have already been charged federally, including Vincent Caruso (“Fatz”), Lawrence Michael Nagle, Jr., and Schuyler Oppenheimer (“SK”). The alleged conspiracy involved manufacturing counterfeit prescription pills and distributing kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl throughout Massachusetts. During the investigation, authorities say Rodriguez distributed cocaine and methamphetamine on four occasions to a cooperating witness and confidential informant.
The armed robbery charge stems from an incident on January 30, 2023. According to prosecutors, Rodriguez and Claudio Melo entered an apartment in Woburn where a drug deal was set to occur. They allegedly pointed semiautomatic pistols at the buyer before taking $24,000 in cash—money believed to be proceeds from drug trafficking—that had been placed inside an unmarked black lunch box. The robbers then reportedly forced the victim to open a safe that turned out to be empty before leaving with the cash.
If convicted, Rodriguez faces up to 20 years in prison for each charge as well as supervised release periods and fines up to $1 million for the drug charge and $250,000 for the robbery charge. Sentencing will be determined by a federal judge according to established guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: “United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Boston made the announcement.” She added that assistance came from multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration; Massachusetts State Police; and Lynn Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard is prosecuting the case.
Prosecutors emphasized that these are allegations at this stage: “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.”
