Fall River man pleads guilty to conspiracy to distribute 2 kilograms of cocaine

BOSTON – A Fall River man pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with a cocaine distribution conspiracy. A storage unit used by the defendant was found to contain a firearm and approximately 40 grams of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl.

Alexander Santiago Medina, a/k/a “Flaco,” 33, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas L. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for July 15, 2021. Santiago Medina was charged in December 2019, along with 12 co-defendants.

From at least February 2019 through December 2019, Santiago Medina was involved in a cocaine distribution conspiracy. Investigators intercepted a number of communications between Santiago Medina and co-conspirators in furtherance of the conspiracy, including communications on June 17, 2019, in which Santiago Medina and various co-conspirators agreed to distribute two kilograms of cocaine or more. Later that day, investigators seized approximately two kilograms of cocaine from one of Santiago Medina’s co-conspirators. After Santiago Medina was arrested on Dec. 5, 2019, investigators searched a storage unit used by Santiago Medina and found a firearm and approximately 40 grams of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine provides for a mandatory minimum sentence 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 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; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspector Service, Boston Division; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Estes of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.