Six Arrested in Multi-Jurisdictional Fentanyl Takedown
Over 4.3 kilograms of suspected fentanyl seized during investigation
BOSTON – Six individuals from Maine and Massachusetts were arrested yesterday in connection with their roles in an alleged fentanyl trafficking organization with activity that spanned across Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
Randell Starlin Medina Rodriguez, 26, of Andover; Williams Colon Sanchez, 26, of Lawrence; Douglas Morris, 31, of Bangor, Maine; Robert Rodriguez Jr., 48, of Portland, Maine; and Cortney Moulton, 37, of West Bath, Maine, were charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Germania Amparo, 29, of Andover, was charged separately with distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
According to the charging documents, in early 2021, an investigation began into a drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl and counterfeit oxycodone pills in and around the Andover and Lawrence areas. The investigation revealed that the defendants allegedly conspired to deliver hundreds of grams of fentanyl throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. Specifically, it is alleged that Massachusetts-based dealers Medina Rodriguez, Colon Sanchez, Amparo and others delivered large quantities of fentanyl to wholesale customers including Morris, Rodriguez Jr. and Moulton, who in turn would distribute those substances in Maine and New Hampshire. Over the course of the investigation, over 4.3 kilograms of suspected fentanyl was seized.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Hassink and Lauren Graber of Rollins’ Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
