A Boston man has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy. Juan Ramon Soto Baez, 55, received a 100-month sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl and cocaine.
Soto Baez was among 21 defendants charged in April 2023, with 15 convictions so far. "The defendant led a major drug trafficking organization in our region, pumping deadly narcotics into our communities and profiting off of addiction," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack. He added that the sentence ensures Soto Baez can no longer contribute to the spread of these narcotics.
Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division, highlighted the impact of Soto Baez's activities: "As the leader of a large-scale drug trafficking organization, Juan Ramon Soto Baez pumped poison into Granite State neighborhoods for over four years."
Court records reveal that between September 2019 and April 2023, Soto Baez led a Massachusetts-based organization distributing fentanyl and cocaine primarily in New Hampshire's Manchester area. The group operated using telephone lines for orders and arranged deliveries by either Soto Baez or an associate.
Law enforcement documented numerous transactions during their investigation and found $15,000 alongside drug ledgers during searches linked to the conspiracy. They also seized approximately 94 grams of fentanyl and 196 grams of cocaine ready for distribution.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration spearheaded the investigation with support from the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kennedy prosecuted the case as part of Operation Take Back America—an initiative aiming to combat illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime.
