Fall River, New Bedford, Providence, Cape Cod police aid in conviction concerning SE MA, Rhode Island drug trafficking organization

BOSTON – A local man was sentenced in federal court in Boston for his role in a drug trafficking organization operating in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, 42-year-old Jason Cruz of New Bedford was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 16 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In May 2023, Cruz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Between approximately April 2022 and approximately June 2022, Cruz purchased fentanyl from the DTO that he then redistributed to others. Intercepted communications depicted Cruz discussing purchasing fentanyl from the DTO. In addition, surveillance footage showed other members of the DTO visiting Cruz’s residence for brief periods of times, often times consistent with illegal drug trafficking.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira; and Fairhaven Police Chief Michael Myers made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Homeland Security Investigations; Bristol County Sherriff’s Office; and Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Scituate, Yarmouth, Providence and West Warwick Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.