A Massachusetts woman was found guilty of participating in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Danybelkis Vasquez-Rodrigue, 28, of Lawrence, Mass., was found guilty of one count of conspiring to possess and distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, a Sept. 7 news release reported. Sentencing is set for Dec. 13.
“Removing Danybelkis Vasquez-Rodriguez from the streets, along with the deadly poison peddled by this drug trafficking organization in the city of Lawrence will prevent them from continuing to endanger public health and safety," Joseph R. Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston division, said in the release. "This case is indicative of the success that can be attained when agencies combine resources to put drug traffickers out of business and behind bars, as we work together to dismantle criminal enterprises that profit from flooding our neighborhoods with illicit drugs.”
Vasquez-Rodrigue was indicted in January 2021 alongside co-conspirator Saury Rodriguez-Ruiz, the news release said.
Rodriguez-Ruiz, who had been identified as a drug supplier with a Lawrence address, was the subject of an investigation by law enforcement that started in November 2020, the release reported. On Nov. 24, 2020, Rodriguez-Ruiz gave a cooperating witness close to a kilogram of fentanyl. Vasquez-Rodrigue received $42,000 from the cooperating witness in exchange for the fentanyl. Vasquez-Rodrigue then used local money transfer companies to make small payments to numerous people in order to deliver those drug proceeds to the fentanyl supplier in Mexico.
“Ms. Vasquez-Rodrigue was involved in a conspiracy that pumped fentanyl into our communities and profited off of the immense harm and pain it caused,” U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins said in the release. “Drug traffickers across the United States pose a serious, existential threat to public safety. Last year in our Commonwealth alone, opioids stole the lives of more than 2,000 people. Those who make a living off poisoning our communities, like Ms. Vasquez-Rodrigue, will be identified, prosecuted and held accountable. This conviction should make that point clear.”
