Drug, immigration and firearms offenses added
BOSTON - Four Dominican nationals, formerly residing in Lawrence, were charged today in a superseding indictment for their roles in a fentanyl, heroin and cocaine distribution ring disrupted by a federal drug sweep in Lawrence last month.
Ramon Gonzalez Nival, a/k/a Caballito, 40, and Robert Frett Sierra, a/k/a Chiquito, 46, were charged with illegal re-entry after deportation.
Julio Baez Gonzalez, a/k/a Manolo, 34, was charged with being an unlawful alien in possession of a firearm.
Santos Ruiz Nivar, a/k/a Tio, was charged with conspiracy to traffic heroin, cocaine and fentanyl.
On May 30, 2017, 30 individuals were arrested and charged on federal drug, gun and immigration offenses. Today’s superseding indictment brings the total number of individuals indicted to 31. The arrests were the culmination of a yearlong investigation, dubbed “Operation Bad Company," aimed at attacking the distribution of fentanyl and heroin in the Lawrence area. The defendants are alleged to have controlled and managed a lucrative and sophisticated drug trafficking and distribution ring in the region.
The drug statute provides for a sentence no greater than 20 years in prison; the firearm statute provides for no greater than 10 years in prison; and the unlawful re-entry after deportation statute provides for no greater than 10 years in prison. The defendants are subject to deportation upon completion of their sentences. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement today. The DEA Cross Border Initiative (comprised of the DEA and the Andover, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, and Wilmington Police Departments) and the Massachusetts State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Winkler of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
