Thirteen individuals have been charged for their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking organization operating in Central Massachusetts and Puerto Rico, federal authorities announced on April 15.
The case involves allegations of distributing cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana. The defendants are accused of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, which carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
According to charging documents, Jack Saez Jr. is alleged to be the leader of the organization that received packages containing kilogram quantities of cocaine shipped from Puerto Rico for distribution within Massachusetts. Authorities reported seizing more than 10 kilograms of cocaine sent through the mail to addresses in Worcester County during the investigation. The organization is also alleged to have distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Searches at various stash houses and residences in both Massachusetts and Puerto Rico reportedly resulted in the seizure of eight firearms as well as additional narcotics intended for distribution. Sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division; and Jason Buckley, Acting Inspector in Charge with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement regarding these charges. They acknowledged assistance from several law enforcement agencies including Homeland Security Investigations; United States Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms; Southern Worcester County Drug & Counter Crime Task Force; Puerto Rico Police Bureau; Massachusetts State Police; local police departments across multiple cities; Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Robinson; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Gonzalez Sanchez.
This investigation was conducted under Operation Take Back America by the Boston Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), established under Executive Order 14159 with goals that include combating illegal immigration and eliminating transnational criminal organizations through coordinated efforts among federal agencies.
Officials emphasized that all details contained within charging documents are allegations at this stage, stating: “The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.”