Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Lynn resident was taken into custody on August 6, 2025, in connection with an alleged multi-year drug trafficking operation and a reported armed robbery that took place in January 2023. The arrest follows a federal investigation into the distribution of cocaine, fentanyl, and counterfeit prescription pills throughout Lynn and the North Shore area of Massachusetts.
Harvey Rodriguez, also known as “Big Opp,” age 29, faces charges including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery under the Hobbs Act. Authorities allege that Rodriguez was part of a network involving several other individuals already charged with federal drug offenses.
According to court documents, Rodriguez is accused of distributing cocaine and methamphetamine on four occasions to both a cooperating witness and a confidential informant during the course of the investigation. The documents further detail an incident on January 30, 2023, where Rodriguez and Claudio Melo allegedly entered an apartment in Woburn during a planned drug transaction. Both reportedly brandished semiautomatic pistols at a drug customer before seizing approximately $24,000 in cash—proceeds from drug sales—which had been left in an unmarked lunch box.
Rodriguez and Melo are said to have then forced the victim to open an empty safe before leaving with the cash.
If convicted, Rodriguez could face up to 20 years in prison for each charge related to drug distribution or robbery conspiracy. Additional penalties include supervised release periods of at least three years and fines ranging from $250,000 up to $1 million per count. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on applicable U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley commented on the case alongside Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division: "United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Boston made the announcement." They acknowledged support from agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Massachusetts State Police, and Lynn Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard from the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting this case.
Authorities remind that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
