By Paul Tennant
The Eagle-Tribune
BOSTON — Law enforcement officers seized an estimated $28.8 million worth of fentanyl when they arrested two Dominican nationals in Methuen on Monday, according to U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling.
The officers confiscated about 32 kilograms – slightly more than 70 pounds – of the deadly, highly addictive drug, Lelling said. The suspects were charged in U.S. District Court with fentanyl trafficking.
A firearm and $20,000 in cash were also recovered.
Angel Javier Morell-Oneill, 33, a Dominican national residing in Methuen, was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. José Rodriguez, 41, was charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Officers investigating Morell-Oneill in June, according to court documents. The investigation culminated with a traffic stop on Pleasant Valley Street in Methuen on Monday, during which officers seized two kilograms of fentanyl from the front passenger seat of the vehicle Morell-Oneill was driving, Lelling said.
After seizing the drugs, officers executed a search warrant at Morell-Oneill’s home, where they seized approximately 30 kilograms of fentanyl, drug distribution paraphernalia and a loaded firearm.
Rodriguez was arrested when he arrived at Morell-Oneill’s home to deliver $20,000, which was to be used to pay for half of the transportation costs of a narcotics shipment recently delivered to Morell-Oneill. The money was seized from a hidden compartment in a car driven by Rodriguez.
If convicted, Rodriguez faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Morell-Oneill could face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million if he is found guilty.
Lelling, along with Brian Boyle, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Col. Kerry Gilpin, superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement Tuesday. Valuable assistance was provided by the Somerville, Medford, Boston, Ipswich and Arlington police departments, according to Lelling.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Ferguson of the Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.