Peabody Man Arrested In Massive Drug Trafficking Bust

PROVIDENCE, RI – A "significant" drug trafficking ring bringing large amounts of heroin and cocaine from Mexico to Massachusetts and elsewhere in New England has been busted, government officials said Thursday.

Fifteen people – including a Peabody man – were arrested in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut when police dismantled the drug chain. Nine Dominican nationals face deportation proceedings, including three previously deported brothers alleged to have run the drug trafficking operation.

Since the investigation began in Sept. 2016, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force seized nearly 4 kilograms of heroin, 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl, 2 kilograms of cocaine, 155 grams of crack cocaine, more than 100 pounds of cutting agents, approximately 12 kilograms of powdery substances that are being analyzed, approximately $95,000 in cash, and 9 vehicles, 5 of which had hidden compartments allegedly used to transport drugs and money.

The Valdez Drug Trafficking Organization was run by three brothers, Hector Valdez, 47 and Claudio Valdez, 44, Dominican nationals living in Woonsocket, R.I., and Juan Valdez, 50, also a Dominican national living in Milton, Mass., according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The three brothers allegedly reentered the country after have been deported following felony drug convictions. They arranged for several shipments of heroin and cocaine to be brought from Mexico to stash houses in Cranston and Woonsocket, RI, from which they were distributed to drug dealers in the great Boston and Providence areas and Hartford, CT.

The FBI, which dubbed the investigation "Operation Triple Play" in reference to the three brothers, executed 15 federal arrest warrants and 13 search warrants issued by U.S. District Courts. Immigration detainers have been lodged against nine of the defendants, identified as Dominican with allegedly stolen identities.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained two individuals on administrative warrants for removal who were not criminally charged as a result of Operation Triple Play.

Here is a look at the 15 suspects being charged in connection with Operation Triple Play, with the six Massachusetts defendants listed first:

Juan Valdez, aka Edwin Garcia/aka Miguel Morillo/ aka Alan Medeiros/ aka "Canita," / aka Cabezon, Age 50, Milton, MA - Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base, and a Kilogram or More of Heroin; Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating theCommission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses; Being an Alien Who Has Illegally Reentered the United States After Deportation

Alexandra Garcia, aka Sandra Rodriguez, Age 38, Milton, MA Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base, and a Kilogram or More ofHeroin; Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating theCommission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses

Vladimir Arias, aka Orlando Robles/ aka Franklin Arias, Age 31, Peabody, MA Conspiracy to Distribute a Kilogram or More of Heroin; Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses

Unidentified Male, aka Jesus Delgado-Sierra, aka Carlito, aka Carlos, Age 36, Roslindale, MA Conspiracy to Distribute a Kilogram or More of Heroin; Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses

Edgardo Romero, Age Unknown, Dorchester, MA Conspiracy to Distribute a Kilogram or More of Heroin; Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses

Wandy Diaz, aka Jose DeJesus-Escbales/ aka Canelo, Age 36, Revere, MA/Providence, RI - Conspiracy to Distribute a Kilogram or More Heroin; Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses

Hector Valdez, aka Arnaldo Lopez/aka Jose Ocasio/aka Jose Altagracia/aka Jorge Figueroa/aka Hector Nunez/aka Jesus Perez/ aka Ramon Vegas, Age 47, Woonsocket, RI -Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base, and a Kilogram or More of Heroin; Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses; Being an Alien Who Has Illegally Reentered the United States After Deportation

Claudio Valdez, aka Carlos Giovanetti Torres / aka Luis Hernandez, Age 44, Woonsocket, RI - Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base, and a Kilogram or More of Heroin; Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses; Being an Alien Who Has Illegally Reentered the United States After Deportation

Manuel Castillo, Age 38, Providence, RI - Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Cocaine/ Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses

Tanya Croteau, Age 37, Woonsocket, RI - Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base, and a Kilogram or More of Heroin; Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses

Jennifer Perdomo, Age 41, Providence, RI, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base, and a Kilogram or More of Heroin; Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses

Juan Bautista, Age Unknown, Hartford, CT - Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base, and a Kilogram or More of Heroin; Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses

Jafar Munir, Age 60, Smithfield, RI - Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Heroin; Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses

Louis A. Pellot Age 42, Central Falls, RI - Conspiracy to Distribute a Kilogram or More of Heroin; Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses

Ramon Guzman, aka Mariano Guzman, Age 36, Providence, RI - Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin; Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses

Search warrants were executed at 50 Warren St., Apt. 306, Peabody; 195 Hamilton St., Dorchester; 24 Aberdeen St., Apt. 1, Milton; 119 Glendower St., Apt. 1B, Roslindale, and several other Rhode Island and Connecticut addresses.

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