Two men from New Bedford, Jose Santiago and Samuel Rodriguez, have been arrested on charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Both were detained after their initial appearances in federal court in Boston following their arrest on July 13, 2025.
Santiago’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions. In 1999, he was convicted for distribution of a class A substance and possession of a firearm. He received sentences of six months and 2.5 years respectively. In 2001, he was federally convicted for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm, leading to a 46-month prison sentence. His record also shows a state conviction in 2006 for trafficking controlled substances with a sentence of 15-20 years.
Rodriguez’s criminal background is extensive as well. It includes convictions from 2003 for assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest, followed by various offenses over the years such as disturbing the peace, motor vehicle violations, drug-related offenses, and more serious charges like breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony. He was sentenced to two years in prison in 2006 for these offenses. His latest conviction in 2017 involved trafficking heroin with a sentence ranging from six to eight years.
In early 2025, an investigation into Santiago and Rodriguez began due to their suspected involvement in narcotics distribution within New Bedford and other areas. Authorities allege that since at least March 2025, they used around ten storage units across locations for storing drugs and conducting deals. The defendants reportedly rented some units under false names to evade law enforcement detection.
Search warrants executed led to the seizure of drugs such as fentanyl, cocaine, unidentified pills along with drug trafficking materials including small presses for compressing powdered fentanyl into packages intended for distribution.
The charge carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment, at least three years supervised release plus fines reaching $1 million. Sentencing will be determined by federal district court guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced this development alongside Stephen Belleau from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Jason Thody from the New Bedford Police Department. Support came from various local police departments across Massachusetts while Assistant U.S. Attorney Kunal Pasricha handles prosecution.
It is important to note that these are allegations; Santiago and Rodriguez remain innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
