Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
Three men from Massachusetts have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston following the seizure of about 99 kilograms of cocaine across locations in Revere, Massachusetts; Colton, New York; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Joel Betances, 43, of Revere; Noel Betances, 42, of Chelsea; and Reylin Segura, 31, of Boston face charges including conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Joel Betances and Noel Betances are also charged with possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Additionally, Noel Betances faces a charge for distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine, while Segura is charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more.
Noel Betances and Segura were previously arrested and charged by complaint in August 2025. Joel Betances was taken into custody in the Dominican Republic on November 19, 2025.
Court records indicate that an investigation began in 2023 into packages sent from Puerto Rico to Massachusetts suspected of containing narcotics. In June 2023, one such package intercepted in Puerto Rico allegedly contained five kilograms of cocaine. Between June and September that year, authorities allege that Noel and Joel Betances picked up additional suspected cocaine packages from various locations around Chelsea, Revere, and Boston before delivering them elsewhere—including a residence in Revere.
It is further alleged that on July 26, 2025—about two years later—Joel Betances supplied an individual with 25 kilograms of cocaine intended for transport to New York. The drugs were seized from a vehicle in Colton.
On August 12, 2025, authorities say Joel Betances was seen leaving a residence in Revere carrying a box which he gave to Segura in exchange for a plastic bag. The box reportedly contained four kilograms of cocaine while the bag held approximately $58,000 in cash. A subsequent search at the same residence led to the seizure of another 65 kilograms of cocaine along with roughly $341,780.
The estimated value for all the seized cocaine is at least $1.4 million.
According to prosecutors: "The charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances (involving five kilograms or more of cocaine) and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine provide for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and up to life and a fine of $10 million." They added: "The charges... involving 500 grams or more... provide for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison...and a fine up to $5 million." Sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the indictments alongside officials from the FBI’s Boston Division; DEA’s New England Field Division; Massachusetts State Police; United States Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division; as well as assistance from local police departments including those from Revere, Boston, and Worcester. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a national Department of Justice initiative aimed at targeting illegal immigration activities as well as dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated efforts involving multiple agencies.
Prosecutors note: "The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
