BOSTON – Two Lawrence males have been arrested for allegedly distributing fentanyl and focusing on veterans on the Bedford Veterans Affairs Medical Heart.
Deiby Bladimil Casado Ruiz and Pedro Antonio Sanchez Bernabel, each of Lawrence, had been indicted on one rely of conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or extra of fentanyl and one rely of distribution of fentanyl. Casado Ruiz was charged with an extra rely of distribution of fentanyl. The defendants had been arrested on Nov. 2, 2022 and, following an preliminary look yesterday earlier than U.S. Justice of the Peace Choose Judith G. Dein, had been detained pending detention hearings scheduled for Nov. 9, 2022.
In response to the charging doc, between July 27, 2022 and Oct. 26, 2022 Casado Ruiz and Bernabel conspired to distribute greater than 40 grams of fentanyl in Bedford. Particularly, it’s alleged the defendants focused veterans looking for therapy for substance use dysfunction on the Bedford Veterans Affairs Medical Heart.
“Every single day, veterans danger their lives to guard our nation, our freedom and our civil liberties. These sacrifices usually come at nice expense to their households, family members, and psychological and bodily well being. One of many few advantages veterans obtain is life-long healthcare providers at any of the 170 VA medical facilities and outpatient clinics all through the nation. If a veteran has a substance use dysfunction or psychological well being concern, a VA can provide life-saving therapy and providers. We allege that these two defendants conspired to promote fentanyl to veterans at or close to the VA medical middle/outpatient clinic in Bedford,” stated United States Legal professional Rollins. “Fentanyl continues to be the primary driver of overdose deaths in our Commonwealth and nationwide. Final 12 months alone, we misplaced over 2,000 folks in Massachusetts to drug poisonings. The opioid disaster is actual and rising. People who search to distribute fentanyl, particularly those that goal weak populations, are a grave menace to our communities. We’re dedicated to discovering and prosecuting them. That could be a promise.”
“Veterans looking for therapy for substance abuse are sometimes at their most weak. The VA Workplace of Inspector Common is dedicated to making sure VA medical facilities are protected for veterans receiving care,” stated Particular Agent in Cost Christopher Algieri of the VA Workplace of Inspector Common’s Northeast Subject Workplace. “We thank the US Legal professional’s Workplace and our regulation enforcement companions for his or her efforts on this joint investigation.”
“What these two males are accused of doing is totally appalling. We consider they focused veterans who’ve valiantly defended our nation’s freedoms and at the moment are looking for therapy for his or her substance abuse dysfunction, and plied them with fentanyl, a lethal narcotic 50-100 occasions stronger than morphine,” stated Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Particular Agent in Cost of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “This investigation clearly demonstrates that the grave penalties of the opioid disaster lengthen far past road degree dealing, and the FBI’s resolve to work carefully with our regulation enforcement companions to do all the pieces we will to rid our communities of this lethal and damaging substance.”
“Massachusetts is within the midst of a devastating opioid disaster as deaths from fentanyl climb,” stated Brian D. Boyle, Particular Agent in Cost of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Subject Division. “The DEA will proceed to make use of each useful resource out there to determine those that are contributing to this disaster throughout our communities. Right this moment’s arrests function a warning to these traffickers who’re fueling the opioid epidemic and dependancy.”
The cost of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or extra of fentanyl offers for obligatory minimal sentence of 5 years and as much as 40 years in jail, at the least 4 years of supervised launch and a advantageous of as much as $5 million. The cost of distribution of fentanyl offers for a sentence of as much as 20 years in jail, at the least three years of supervised launch and a advantageous of as much as $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court docket choose based mostly upon the U.S. Sentencing Tips and statutes which govern the dedication of a sentence in a prison case.
U.S. Legal professional Rollins, VA OIG SAC Algieri, FBI SAC and DEA SAC Boyle made the announcement at present. Helpful help within the investigation was offered by the Bedford VA Medical Heart Police Service and the Lawrence Police Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Callahan, Lauren Graber and Kelly Lawrence of Rollins’ Well being Care Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.
The small print contained within the charging doc are allegations. The defendants are presumed harmless except and till confirmed responsible past an affordable doubt in a court docket of regulation.
