BOSTON (WWLP) – Two men with significant criminal histories were arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and other drugs after a search warrant was executed at storage units in Massachusetts.
In a news release from the Department of Justice, an investigation began earlier this year into two men from New Bedford, 43-year-old Jose Santiago and 39-year-old Samuel Rodriguez, for their alleged role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and other drugs. Law enforcement revealed that the two suspects allegedly used at least 10 storage units in New Bedford and other locations to store narcotics and drug trafficking materials, as well as to conduct drug deals.
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The storage units were rented under other names, including a living 101-year-old woman. They routinely closed some of the units and moved operations to different facilities in what the Justice Department says to avoid being detected by law enforcement.
During the search warrants at the storage units, officers seized significant amounts of suspected fentanyl, cocaine and unidentified pills, cutting agents, multiple small “presses” used to compress powdered fentanyl into finger-sized packages for drug distribution, and two large hydraulic presses.
Santiago and Rodriguez were arrested on July 13th and each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.
Santiago’s criminal history:
- 1999 state conviction for distribution of a class A substance and for possession of a firearm, for which he was sentenced to six months in prison and 2.5 years in prison.
- 2001 federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm, for which he was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison.
- 2006 state conviction for trafficking controlled substances, for which he was sentenced to 15-20 years in prison.
Rodriguez’s criminal history:
- 2003 convictions for assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.
- 2004 convictions for disturbing the peace and motor vehicle offenses.
- 2005 convictions for possession of a class B controlled substance and motor vehicle offenses.
- 2006 convictions for breaking and entering with the intent to commit a felony and a firearm offense for which he was sentenced to two years in prison.
- 2007 conviction for possession with intent to distribute a class D substance.
- 2010 convictions for motor vehicle offenses.
- 2011 convictions for disturbing the peace and threats.
- 2013 convictions for carrying a dangerous weapon, property damage, and motor vehicle offenses.
- 2015 conviction for assault and battery on a police officer.
- 2017 convictions for carrying a dangerous weapon and trafficking heroin for which he was sentenced to six to eight years in prison.
- Pending 2024 state charges of assault and battery using a dangerous weapon, causing serious bodily injury, for allegedly stabbing another person multiple times.
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