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3 Worcester men among 13 charged in massive drug take-down

  • Posted by Worcester News May 20 - Filed in News - #Worcester  #crime  #drugs  #fentanyl  #Drug Enforcement Administration  #cocaine  #methamphetamine  - 3,879 views

    3 Worcester man are among 13 charged in connection with an alleged drug trafficking organization that operated in Central Massachusetts and Puerto Rico and distributed cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and marijuana, federal authorities said Wednesday.

    The defendants are charged with one count each of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. They include Worcester residents Sheldon Herring, 48; Duamel Ocasio, 55; and Anthony Hines, 57.

    Other area residents charged are Stephen Bandilla III, 55, of East Brookfield; and Justin Gilchrest, 34, of Webster.

    Also charged are Jack Saez Jr., 34, and Dayanara Mendez, both of Dayville, Conn.; Christopher Rivera Rodriguez, 32, Jan Carlos Martinez Mendez, 23, Shaquille De Jesus Torres, 32, Alondra Daleishka Cruz Mendoza, 23, and Ushuuaniliz Hernandez Rios, 21, all of Puerto Rico; and Gerardo Villegas Rodriguez, 28, of the Dominican Republic.

    According to charging documents, Saez led an organization that received packages through the mail containing kilogram quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico for distribution in the state. Authorities said more than 10 kilograms of cocaine shipped from Puerto Rico to addresses in Worcester County were seized during the investigation.

    Authorities also allege the organization distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl. Searches of stash houses and residences in Mass. and Puerto Rico resulted in the seizure of eight guns and distribution quantities of other narcotics, according to federal prosecutors.

    The conspiracy charge carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

    Local agencies that assisted included the Southern Worcester County Drug & Counter Crime Task Force, Massachusetts State Police, and police departments in Auburn, Webster, Worcester, Southbridge, East Brookfield, Gardner and Leicester. The Los Angeles Police Department also assisted.

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