Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Lynn resident has admitted to participating in a multi-year drug conspiracy and an armed robbery connected to drug trafficking. Harvey Rodriguez, also known as “Big Opp,” pleaded guilty on January 14 to charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery under the Hobbs Act. Sentencing is set for April 27, 2026.
According to federal prosecutors, Rodriguez was involved in a network that manufactured counterfeit prescription pills and distributed kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl across Lynn and other areas in Massachusetts. Court documents indicate that Rodriguez worked with several other distributors, including individuals previously charged with federal drug offenses such as Vincent Caruso (“Fatz”), Lawrence Michael Nagle, Jr., and Schuyler Oppenheimer (“SK”). During the investigation, authorities say Rodriguez supplied cocaine and methamphetamine on four occasions to a cooperating witness and confidential informant.
Prosecutors detailed that on January 30, 2023, Rodriguez participated in an armed robbery during a planned drug transaction at an apartment in Woburn. The transaction involved exchanging $24,000 for a kilogram of cocaine. During the meeting, Rodriguez and Claudio Melo reportedly entered the apartment armed with semiautomatic pistols, pointed their weapons at the buyer, took $24,000 in cash—which was identified as proceeds from prior drug sales—and forced the victim to open an empty safe before leaving with the money.
The maximum sentence for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances or possession with intent to distribute is up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release minimum, and fines reaching $1 million. The charge related to interference with commerce by robbery carries up to 20 years imprisonment, up to three years supervised release, and fines up to $250,000. Final sentences will be determined by a federal judge based on sentencing guidelines.
“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. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Massachusetts State Police; and the Lynn Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.”
