Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
Thirteen individuals have been charged for their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking organization operating in Central Massachusetts and Puerto Rico, federal authorities announced on Apr. 15.
The charges are part of an effort to address the distribution of cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana in the region. According to officials, the organization is accused of mailing kilogram quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico to addresses in Worcester County for further distribution.
The defendants face one count each of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. The individuals charged include Jack Saez Jr., Christopher Rivera Rodriguez, Jan Carlos Martinez Mendez, Dayanara Mendez, Shaquille De Jesus Torres, Gerardo Villegas Rodriguez, Sheldon Herring, Duamel Ocasio, Anthony Hines, Stephen Bandilla III, Justin Gilchrest, Alondra Daleishka Cruz Mendoza and Ushuuaniliz Hernandez Rios. Authorities allege that Saez led the group.
During the investigation more than 10 kilograms of cocaine shipped through the mail were seized by law enforcement. Searches at various locations in Massachusetts and Puerto Rico also resulted in the recovery of eight firearms as well as additional narcotics intended for distribution.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley said that valuable assistance was provided by several federal agencies including Homeland Security Investigations; United States Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms; Southern Worcester County Drug & Counter Crime Task Force; Puerto Rico Police Bureau; Massachusetts State Police; and multiple local police departments. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Robinson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Gonzalez Sanchez are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America under President Trump's Executive Order 14159—Protecting the American People Against Invasion—which aims to eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime through joint efforts led by the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security.
Authorities remind that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
