News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2003

Federal Jury Convicts Lynn Man Of Cocaine Conspiracy

Boston, MA….A Lynn man was convicted yesterday in federal court of conspiring to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.

Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division and Michael J. Sullivan, United States Attorney announced that FREDDY MARTINEZ, age 40, of Brookline Street in Lynn, was convicted by a jury sitting before U.S. District Judge Nancy Gertner of conspiring to distribute cocaine.

Evidence presented during the eleven-day trial proved that MARTINEZ conspired with others to distribute cocaine in the greater Boston area and into southern New Hampshire during a period beginning in February 1999 and continuing until his arrest in May 2000. The evidence also proved that the conspiracy involved five kilograms or more of cocaine. In a related criminal forfeiture count, the jury found that the sum of money MARTINEZ derived from, and/or used in, the cocaine trafficking was $3 million.

Judge Gertner scheduled sentencing for May 16, 2003. MARTINEZ faces a minimum mandatory term of ten years' imprisonment, and a maximum of life imprisonment, to be followed by at least five years of supervised release, and up to $4 million fine (in addition to the forfeiture).

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Boston, New Hampshire, and El Paso, Texas; the Massachusetts State Police; the El Paso, Texas Police Department; the New Hampshire Drug Task Force; and the New Hampshire State Police.