Category: Massachusetts

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a pervasive issue here in Michigan that operates in the shadows at great cost to residents illegal trade. Whether it involves drugs, people, weapons, cigarettes or a knock-off pair of Adidas shoes, illegal trade is a growing problem exacerbated by COVID-19.

When the pandemic hit, criminals quickly maneuvered to flood the market with fake and inferior personal protective equipment and other COVID-related products. Since the beginning of the pandemic, online counterfeited goods have jumped nearly 40%. The roughly $1 trillion industry of transnational crime facilitated by illegal trade harms everyone and requires a united and collaborative effort to reduce the damage it inflicts on our society.

Here in Michigan, we know that our common border with Canada offers traffickers numerous opportunities. Border access points are frequently misused by drug smugglers. Prime locations like this become major conduits for illegal trade, and more hands need to be working toward stopping the influx of contraband.

Illegal trade and black market goods cause a lot of harm to our state, stealing millions of dollars from tax revenues that could be spent on improving Michigan services like infrastructure and education. For example, data from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy last year showed that Michigan loses more than $207 million in tax revenues each year due to illegal smuggling of tobacco products alone.

This is why we joined United to Safeguard America from Illegal Trade (USA-IT), a partnership of national and state brand enforcement experts, law enforcement agencies and leading business organizations dedicated to educating the public about the dangers of illegal trade.

The coalition is raising awareness in Michigan and other states across the country while leveraging our collective, vast expertise to share resources and provide training programs with local officials, law enforcement and other thought leaders to help combat these insidious acts and the criminals who commit them.

To many, buying smuggled cigarettes or knock-off sneakers may seem like victimless crimes, but they are far from it. The funds these organizations earn by selling black market goods are used to bolster their other nefarious activities. These criminals are the same criminals who traffic in weapons, drugs and even people. We cannot let this criminal activity continue to harm our communities.

As criminal enterprises continue to devise new strategies and practices to evade law enforcement, we must bring more tools to the table to keep pace with black market ingenuity.

This involves sharing knowledge of illegal trade with the public so they are aware of what happens in the shadows, while also working with law enforcement and local governments to target these operations, and empowering lawmakers, organizations and our communities with the tools needed to act.

It is clear there will not be an immediate or easy fix, and no one government or single industry can address this complex problem on its own. When facing such dynamic adversaries, it is important that we always stay prepared for the next challenge.

Through the work of partnerships like USA-IT, we can work toward holding the perpetrators of illegal trade accountable and ensure a more secure and prosperous Michigan.

Dan Papineau is the director of tax policy and regulatory affairs for the Michigan Chamber Of Commerce.

BOSTON – A Lowell man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving methamphetamine disguised as counterfeit Adderall pills.

Vimoon Sortsoy, 29, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for April 6, 2022. Sortsoy was indicted on Jan. 27, 2021.

Sortsoy conspired to distribute counterfeit prescription pills pressed to resemble Adderall that in fact contained methamphetamine in the Lowell area. Specifically, in a series of controlled purchases conducted by law enforcement, Sortsoy sold counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine to a cooperating witness. In total, Sortsoy sold approximately 400 grams of counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Lowell Police Chief Raymond Kelly Richardson made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Hoefle of Mendell’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty yesterday to his role in a wide-ranging cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

Luis Mejia Guerrero, 61, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. At the conclusion of the plea hearing, Guerrero was taken into custody and detained pending sentencing, which U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled for April 12, 2022. Guerrero was indicted in June 2019.

According to court documents, in the fall of 2018, federal and state law enforcement began investigating a violent Brockton drug crew headed by Djuna Goncalves. The investigation revealed that Goncalves worked with others to distribute large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, cocaine base and marijuana throughout southeastern Massachusetts from a base of operations at a family home in Brockton. The neighborhood surrounding the crew’s Brockton base has been the scene of numerous murders,shootings and other crimes of violence for several years.

The investigation identified Guerrero and other members of his Boston-based drug cell as cocaine suppliers to Goncalves’s crew. Guerrero and others distributed cocaine on a daily basis out of a stash house in Dorchester. In May 2019, Guerrero was arrested along with his partner, Luis Alfredo Baez, after agents intercepted a kilogram of cocaine being transported to the stash house.

On June 23, 2021, Baez was sentenced by Judge Gorton to 41 months in prison. Goncalves pleaded guilty on Oct. 7, 2021 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 9, 2022. Under the terms of Djuna Goncalves’s plea agreement, he will serve a minimum of 15 years in prison and the government will recommend a sentence of 308 months in prison.

In total, 17 individuals were indicted in wide-ranging drug trafficking conspiracy reaching from Boston to Brockton to Lawrence to Cape Cod. Guerrero is the 17^th and final defendant to plead guilty in this case.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine 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 court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz; and Brockton Police Chief Emanuel Gomes made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Alathea E. Porter of Mendell’s Narcotics & 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.

BOSTON – Two men were indicted last week in connection with trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine disguised as Adderall, Xanax or oxycodone in and around the Malden area.

Igor Desouza, 25, and Matthew Ramos, 24, both of Malden, were indicted on one count each of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and other controlled substances.

According to the charging documents, a search of the defendants’ residence on May 25, 2021 resulted in the recovery of a firearm, over 200 rounds of ammunition, black tar heroin, MDMA crystals, cocaine, doses of LSD and nearly 10,000 pills suspected to include thousands of methamphetamine pills pressed to resemble Adderall or Xanax; thousands of fentanyl pills pressed to resemble oxycodone; thousands of MDMA tablets; amphetamines; and oxycodone.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison, at least four and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement. The investigation was led by DEA’s New England Field Division’s Boston Tactical Diversion Squad. Special assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; the Malden Police Department; and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Weinstein of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – Two Springfield men were convicted yesterday by a federal jury in Worcester for their roles in a large-scale drug trafficking organization supplied by sources in Mexico and spanning at least four states.

Isaac Cardona, 34, and Rafael Cardona Sr., 61, were convicted following a nine-day trial of conspiracy to distribute to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and one kilogram of heroin. Isaac Cardona was also convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Jan. 31, 2022.

The Cardonas were indicted in November 2017 as part of a 14-month wiretap investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking organization supplied by sources in Mexico and spanning at least four states.

The Cardonas conspired with co-defendant David Cruz to traffic cocaine and heroin from Mexico, through California, to the Springfield area and into New England. Isaac Cardona owed Cruz money for one kilogram of the cocaine Cruz had distributed to him, and, in order to pay down that debt, the Cardonas and other co-conspirators conspired to import at least one kilogram of heroin (which turned out to be pure fentanyl) from sources in Mexico. In late August 2016, Isaac Cardona traveled by car to San Diego, Calif., with cash to pay for the heroin. Cruz later traveled to San Diego, retrieved the car and the cash, and, on Sept. 8, 2016, used the cash to purchase what he believed to be one kilogram of heroin. Law enforcement in California seized the vehicle and recovered approximately one kilogram of pure fentanyl.

Cruz previously pleaded guilty to drug and firearms offenses and is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 9, 2021.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin 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 conspiracy to commit money laundering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the money laundering. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Carlsbad (Calif.) Resident Office and the Westfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Catherine G. Curley, Steven H. Breslow and Neil L. Desroches of Mendell’s Springfield Office are prosecuting the case.

The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.

BOSTON – A Brockton man pleaded guilty today to his role in a wide-ranging drug trafficking conspiracy reaching from Boston to Brockton to Lawrence to Cape Cod.

Djuna Goncalves, 33, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, oxycodone and marijuana; possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, and marijuana; two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition; and two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Under the terms of the plea agreement the government will recommend a sentence of 308 months in prison. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Feb. 9, 2022.

According to court documents, in the fall of 2018, federal and state law enforcement agents began investigating a violent Brockton drug crew headed by Djuna Goncalves. The investigation revealed that Djuna Goncalves worked with others, including his brothers Cody and Anthony Goncalves, to distribute large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, cocaine base and marijuana throughout southeastern Massachusetts from a base of operations in Brockton. The neighborhood surrounding the crew’s Brockton base has been the scene of numerous murders, shootings and other crimes of violence for several years.

During the investigation, large quantities of heroin and fentanyl were seized from Djuna Goncalves, who had previously been convicted of state drug distribution charges and who distributed fentanyl while on pre-trial release for state drug charges. A search of the Brockton base resulted in the seizure of a Glock .45 caliber pistol, a large number of ammunition clips to various types of firearms, accompanying ammunition, fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, suboxone strips, a hydraulic press, packaging materials, digital scales, approximately $12,000 in cash and an AK-47 assault rifle:

In all, 17 defendants, including Djuna, Cody and Anthony Goncalves, were indicted as part of a wide-ranging drug trafficking conspiracy reaching from Boston to Brockton to Lawrence to Cape Cod. Of the 17 defendants named in the indictment, nine have been sentenced. Djuna Goncalves is the 15^th defendant to plead guilty in the case. On Sept. 12, 2021, Cody Goncalves pleaded guilty to similar charges and is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 2, 2022. The remaining defendants are scheduled to plead guilty. Anthony Goncalves is scheduled to plead guilty on Oct. 12, 2021.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, oxycodone and marijuana provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and 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 and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense provide for a sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison, from and after the sentence imposed on the applicable drug trafficking counts, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz; and Brockton Police Chief Emanuel Gomes made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Alathea E. Porter of Mendell’s Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.

The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.

The detailed contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON — A Revere woman has been indicted for trafficking multiple victims for sex through Crystal’s Day Spa in Revere, which she was allegedly operating as a front for human trafficking, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today. Two employees of the business have also been indicted for sexually assaulting clients seeking massages.

Geralda De Matos Garland, age 57, of Revere, was indicted on Thursday by a Suffolk County Grand Jury on the charges of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude (2 counts), Keeping a House of Ill Fame, and Money Laundering.

Lucas Sobreira, age 29, of Everett, was indicted on one charge each of Indecent Assault & Battery on a Person over 14 and Assault & Battery. Giacomo Neto, age 41, of Lynn, was indicted on the charges of Indecent Assault & Battery on a Person over 14 (2 counts) and Assault & Battery (2 counts). All three defendants will be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court at a later date.

The AG’s Office previously announced Garland’s arrest in April 2021 by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, the Revere Police Department, and Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

These charges are the result of an investigation by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, with assistance from the Revere Police Department, the Division of Professional Licensure, and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

During the course of the investigation, authorities developed evidence indicating that Garland allegedly ran a profitable and organized criminal enterprise through Crystal’s Day Spa, which she owned and set up as a front for human trafficking.

The AG’s Office alleges that Garland knowingly facilitated commercial sexual activity by recruiting victims and offering sexual activity between victims and buyers in exchange for a fee. The AG’s Office alleges that Garland also posted online advertisements offering commercial sex, arranged commercial sex appointments with sex buyers, collected money from sex buyers, and profited from this commercial sexual activity.

The AG’s Office alleges that in 2018, Sobreira allegedly sexually assaulted an individual at Crystal’s Day Spa. In 2021, Neto is alleged to have sexually assaulted two different individuals on separate occasions at the establishment. These victims were not aware Crystal’s Day Spa offered illegal commercial sex.

AG Healey’s Victim Services Division is working with victim service organizations to ensure victims have the assistance and services they need.

These charges are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

AG Healey has a dedicated Human Trafficking Division that focuses on policy, prevention and prosecution and includes a team of specialized prosecutors, victim advocates and Massachusetts State Police troopers who handle high impact, multi-jurisdictional human trafficking investigations and prosecutions across the state. Through the Human Trafficking Division, the AG’s Office has charged more than 60 individuals in connection with human trafficking since the law was passed.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Nancy Rothstein of the AG’s Human Trafficking Division, with assistance from Deputy Chief of the AG’s Victim Services Division Rebecca Quigley, Financial Investigators Jill Petruzziello and Patrick Cooney, and the AG’s Digital Evidence Lab. The investigation was handled by the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, with assistance from the Revere Police Department, the Division of Professional Licensure, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, and Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

BOSTON – A Providence, R.I. man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to firearms trafficking.

Chiweze Ihunwo, 24, previously of Randolph, Mass., pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Dec. 8, 2021. Ihunwo was indicted on Jan. 21, 2021.

In 2019 and 2020, Ihunwo traveled from Massachusetts to North Carolina for the purpose of acquiring firearms to be resold for profit. After acquiring these firearms, Ihunwo traveled back to Massachusetts and sold them to various individuals. At various times, Ihunwo advertised the firearms for sale via social media. In addition, Ihunwo made arrangements to sell firearms to a person who soon thereafter was arrested in connection with a June 23, 2020 shooting incident on I-95 in Providence.

During a search of a residence in Providence where Ihunwo had been staying, an AK-style pistol and various rounds of ammunition were recovered.

The charge of dealing in firearms without a license provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives made the announcement. Assistance was provided by the Randolph Police Department, the Providence Police Department and the Rhode Island State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie Duane of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Worcester man was arrested and charged today for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine disguised as counterfeit Adderall pills.

Nestiano Kristo, 20, of Worcester, was charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Following an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. District Court Chief Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley, Kristo was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for June 30, 2021.

According to the charging document, over the course of two months, Kristo allegedly sold significant quantities of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine, cocaine and suspected fentanyl to an undercover law enforcement officer. Specifically, on May 10, 2021, Kristo allegedly sold approximately 1,000 counterfeit Adderall pills containing 355 grams of methamphetamine and cocaine to the undercover law enforcement officer. Today, agents recovered over 50,000 suspected counterfeit Adderall pills which are estimated to have a combined weight of over 17 kilograms, approximately one kilogram of suspected cocaine and three firearms, one of which was modified into a fully automatic weapon, from Kristo’s residence.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Friedholm of Mendell’s Worcester Branch Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – Fifteen members and associates of a Lowell-based gang, One Family Clique (OFC), have been charged, and 14 were arrested today, for allegedly perpetrating large-scale and long-running drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracies. In the course of the investigation, agents seized or purchased approximately 2.32 kilograms of cocaine, 10.78 kilograms of methamphetamine, 41 grams of fentanyl, 30 grams of MDMA, 513 grams of heroin, $104,396 in cash and three firearms. One defendant remains a fugitive.

As alleged in court documents, in August 2018, law enforcement began investigating OFC in response to a dramatic spike in shootings and gang violence in Lowell. OFC is an alliance between several gangs in and around Lowell with ties to gangs in California and other states. Sarath Yut is the founder and leader of OFC and also a member of the subgroup, Crazy Mob Family gang. In 2018 and 2019, at least 12 incidents of gunfire in the Lowell area are alleged to be attributable to gang-motivated hostilities between OCF and its rivals.

Since at least 2019, Yut, and co-defendants allegedly used the U.S. Postal Service to receive shipments of illegal narcotics, and, in return, to ship cash proceeds to Yut’s sources of supply. It is alleged that Yut maintained stash houses in Lowell, which also served as venues for gang meetings and other events furthering the gang’s illegal activities. In addition, controlled purchases of drugs and a firearm were made from defendants Virak Prum, Peouveasnah Pin and Sambo Buth.

It is further alleged that, in August 2019, Pin and Buth dealt in counterfeit money, by providing “protection” to a cooperating witness, who purported to purchase $100,000 of counterfeit U.S. currency from an undercover agent. Buth and Pin transferred and delivered the counterfeit currency from Cambridge, Mass. to New Hampshire, where it was received by another undercover agent. In a May 2021 undercover operation, defendants Prum, Pin, Samoeun Kem and Richard Sam, allegedly provided “protection” to a shipment, purportedly of drug money from Europe, from black tar heroin sales. The defendants helped pack a shipment of money into a truck and escorted it from New York to New Hampshire.

“We allege that leaders and members of the One Family Clique trafficked drugs and firearms, contributing to the kind of violence we all know destroys communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell. “The Lowell Police Department is committed to defending its community, so they joined with federal and state law enforcement partners to conduct an investigation that yielded targeted arrests of key people who we allege were promoting drug distribution and violence in Lowell. The residents of Lowell will enjoy a safer summer thanks to the work of investigators and our prosecutors.”

“Operation Street Roulette is another example of how the FBI and our law enforcement partners work together to dismantle large-scale criminal enterprises that endanger our communities. With today’s removal of illegal narcotics, firearms, and these 15 members and associates of One Family Clique from the streets, the citizens of Lowell are immediately safer,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “We believe this crew jeopardized public safety, and steadily poisoned the parts of Lowell they controlled, dealing large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, while conspiring to launder their profits to hide what they were doing. We will not cede our cities to drug pushers who have absolutely no regard for the harm and violence they bring into our neighborhoods, and the FBI will stop at nothing to investigate, disrupt, and hold accountable those who try to fill the void left by today’s arrests.”

“In August of 2018, when I was appointed as Superintendent, I vowed to stop the violence in our city,” said Lowell Police Superintendent Kelly Richardson. “Knowing that most of the violence stemmed from illegal drug activity, and knowing that many involved had gone underground, I made it a top priority. Without hesitation the FBI, along with our officers, began a deep and protracted investigation that has led to today’s arrests. I would like to thank the FBI and our partner investigative agencies for their ingenuity, tenacity and dedication. This investigation highlights the importance of partnerships. It not only strengthened this partnership but also, most importantly, has made this city safer for its residents, students and visitors.”

“Drug trafficking organizations exist for one reason: to make money,” said Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office.  “By targeting their finances with today’s investigative actions, IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are dismantling these dangerous groups that wreak havoc on our communities.”

“Today’s arrests reflect the ongoing efforts of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and our law enforcement partners to disrupt Drug Trafficking Organizations in our communities,” said Joshua W. McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. “Using the U.S. Mail to facilitate drug trafficking and the associated proceeds, will not be tolerated. We will continue to preserve the integrity of the U.S. Mail while also protecting our employees and the American public.”

“DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling violent poly drug trafficking organizations like these operating in the Greater Merrimack Valley area of Massachusetts,” said Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Division. “As we all know, drug trafficking in our communities, along with the gun and physical violence that often accompanies it, is a serious threat to our families and communities. This is unacceptable and will not be allowed to happen. DEA and its local, state and federal partners are dedicated to bringing to justice those that commit these crimes.”

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine base, fentanyl, MDMA, 500 grams or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine provides for mandatory minimum sentences of five and 10 years and up to life in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release, a fine of up to $10 million and forfeiture of assets traceable to the trafficking offenses. The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $500,000, or twice the amount of the property involved, whichever is greater, and forfeiture of assets traceable to the laundering offenses. The charge of dealing in counterfeit obligations and securities provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $ 250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting U.S. Attorney Mendell, FBI Boston SAC Bonavolonta, Lowell Police Superintendent Richardson, IRS-CI Acting SAC Covington, USPIS Acting Inspector McCallister and DEA Boston SAC Boyle made the announcement. The investigation was led by the FBI’s Merrimack Valley Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and assistance was provided by the DEA-San Jose Task Force and Long Beach and Santa Clara (California) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Moran, Fred Wyshak, III, and Alexandra W. Amrhein of Mendell’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

This case 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.

APPENDIX

The following defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury:

1. Sarath Yut, a/k/a “Black,” 34, of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine base, fentanyl, MDMA, 500 grams or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
2. Virak Prum, a/k/a “Polo,” 34, of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine, MDMA and 500 grams or more of cocaine;
3. Peouveasnah Pin, a/k/a “Poe,” 31, of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy, dealing in counterfeit obligations or securities and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine, MDMA and 500 grams or more of cocaine;
4. Sambo Buth, a/k/a “Chewy,” 31, of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy, dealing in counterfeit obligations or securities and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, methamphetamine, MDMA and 40 grams or more of fentanyl;
5. Sambath Lay, a/k/a “G,” 34, of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA;
6. Mark Yin, a/k/a “Markass,” 30 of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA;
7. Christopher Phann, a/k/a “Kree,” 29, of Medford, was charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA;
8. Darasy Chhim, a/k/a “Mystickal,” 35, of Lowell, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA;
9. Sriphan Keomany, a/k/a “C-Pon,” 43, of Lowell, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA;
10. Vongnaroth Proeung, a/k/a “Sunny,” 32 of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA;
11. Victory Thorn, 34, of Hudson, was charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA;
12. Chomroeun Keo, a/k/a “Shrek,” 38, of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA;
13. Gaius Monteyro, a/k/a “G-Made,” 36 of Lowell, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA;
14. Samoeun Kem, a/k/a “Crazy One,” 35, of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy; and
15. Richard Sam, a/k/a “Lil Stomper,” 30 of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy.