A Massachusetts man pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges involving fentanyl.
Josue "Bori" Rivera Rodriguez, 45, of Holyoke, Mass., pleaded guilty Nov. 18 to a single count of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, two counts of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl, according to a Nov. 21 news release. He is reportedly associated with Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion, which U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael S. Rollins called "one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in Mexico."
"Mr. Rodriguez conspired to bring CJNG's violent drug trafficking operations into our commonwealth," Rollins said in the news release. "Because of the exceptional work of our law enforcement partners, he failed."
Rodriguez was arrested and charged in April 2021 after he was recorded delivering $35,000 to "a cooperating witness," using code that meant the money was intended for CJNG, according to the release. He also was recorded on three occasions in 2020 and 2021 distributing more than 750 grams of fentanyl to the cooperating witness.
At the time of his arrest, Rodriguez was found to have about 300 grams of fentanyl, an AR-15, five semi-automatic pistols, a bullet-proof vest, a police hat with insignia, packaging materials, cellphones, a money counter and $1,900 in cash, the release reported.
"Not only did he distribute considerable quantities of fentanyl on behalf of the cartel into our communities, agents also seized deadly firearms from his home – including a fully automatic AR-15 machine gun and several handguns fitted with laser sight," Rollins said in the release. "These weapons are far too excessive and powerful for any claim of self-defense. They are designed for destruction and harm. Stopping the flow of illegal narcotics from entering into our communities remains the most critical step in combating violent criminal activity directly at its source."
Ridriguez is scheduled for sentencing Feb. 6, 2023, before U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin, the release reported.
"Josue Rivera Rodriguez trafficked deadly fentanyl all over Massachusetts including Watertown, Revere, Holyoke and Springfield for one of the largest and most violent transnational criminal organizations operating in Mexico and the United States," FBI-Boston Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta said in the news release. "Equally troubling is what we found when we took him into custody - a cache of high-powered weapons, including an AR-15 assault rifle, a bullet proof vest, and even a police hat with insignia. This case illustrates the FBI's commitment to removing large-scale drug traffickers like Rodriguez who are a clear and present danger to our communities from our streets before they can ruin any more lives."
Drug Enforcement Administration is committed to investigating drug trafficking in Massachusetts, FBI-New England Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle said in the news release.
"As we all know, drug trafficking in our communities, along with the gun and physical violence that often accompanies it, is a serious threat to our families and communities," Boyle said, according to the release. "This is unacceptable and will not be allowed to happen. DEA and its local, state and federal partners are dedicated to bringing to justice those that commit these crimes."
