Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
An influential leader of an international drug gang, Noel Haro, was sentenced in federal court in Boston for trafficking narcotics while incarcerated. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young sentenced Haro to 188 months in prison, concurrent with his existing life sentences at the Massachusetts Department of Correction. The sentence includes five years of supervised release.
Haro pleaded guilty on March 11, 2025, to charges including conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. He was indicted alongside his brother Marcos Haro in April 2023.
"Even behind bars, Noel Haro continued to direct the operations of an international drug trafficking network," said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. "Our office and our agency partners will not allow prison cells to serve as command centers for criminal activity."
FBI Special Agent Ted E. Docks commented on Haro's activities while incarcerated: "This case should make it crystal clear to anyone who thinks they can flagrantly violate the law... It’s only a matter of time before you will get caught."
Shawn Jenkins, Commissioner of the Department of Correction, emphasized their commitment: "This case underscores our commitment to rooting out criminal activity within our facilities."
Haro is a leader of the “Border Brothers” gang involved in various illegal activities across Southern Arizona and Mexico. He was transferred from Arizona due to security concerns over his influence and actions.
The investigation began around April 2019 when authorities detected attempts by Haro to facilitate drug trafficking via phone calls from prison. In one instance, a letter intercepted by Massachusetts DOC contained coded messages using a Monopoly game card.
Marcos Haro assisted Noel by arranging narcotics deals outside prison walls, mailing drugs concealed in packages like teddy bears.
Denise Guyette, a co-conspirator recruited by Noel Haro, received an 11-year sentence after pleading guilty earlier this year. Marcos Haro pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing later this month.
U.S. Attorney Foley announced these developments alongside FBI SAC Docks and MADOC Commissioner Jenkins.
The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations through coordinated efforts among agencies.
