18 defendants convicted in large-scale Massachusetts drug trafficking conspiracy where 1.8+ kilos of heroin/fentanyl, 3.6+ kilos of cocaine, $376,000 seized

BOSTON – A Massachusetts man pleaded guilty Friday in federal court for his role in a wide-ranging fentanyl, heroin, crack and cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, 33-year-old Pedro Villot-Santiago of Fitchburg pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 280 grams or more of crack cocaine and 500 grams or more of cocaine. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Sept. 12, 2023. Villot-Santiago was indicted in July 2020 along with 17 others, including his brother and co-conspirator Jonathan Villot.

Following a fatal fentanyl overdose in September 2018, an investigation began into a drug trafficking organization (DTO) in the Fitchburg area. Beginning in July 2019, court authorized interceptions of wire and electronic communications between members of the DTO and its suppliers revealed Villot-Santiago as a large-scale cocaine supplier.

Over the course of the investigation, over 1.8 kilograms of a heroin and fentanyl mixture, over 3.6 kilograms of cocaine and over 50 grams of crack cocaine were seized, as well as a stolen, loaded handgun, drug manufacturing equipment and over $376,000. On the day of his arrest in July 2020, Villot-Santiago was found in possession of a stolen, loaded handgun, as well as over $252,000 in cash.

Villot-Santiago is the last of all 18 defendants to be convicted in this case – either by guilty plea or jury conviction following trial.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. The Fitchburg and Lunenburg Police Departments and U.S. Postal Inspection Service provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation.