News Release [print friendly page]
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Special Agent Tony Pettigrew
Phone: 617-557-2138
September 18, 2008

Puerto Rico Man Sentenced on Drug Charges

SEP 18 -- (SPRINGFIELD, MA) - A Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico man was sentenced today in federal court for Conspiracy, Distribution of Heroin, Distribution of Cocaine, and Distribution of Cocaine in a School Zone.

Kevin L. Lane, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration - New England Field Division and United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan, announced today that LUIS CRUZ-SANTIAGO, age 35, of Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael A. Ponsor to three years imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. On May 28, 2008, CRUZ-SANTIAGO pled guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base, and Heroin, one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Heroin, two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Cocaine, and one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Cocaine in a School Zone.

At the earlier plea hearing, the prosecutor told the Court that had the case proceeded to trial, the Government’s evidence would have proven that during the first half of 2006, CRUZ-SANTIAGO engaged in multiple deals to distribute wholesale amounts of heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base in the Springfield, Massachusetts area. CRUZ-SANTIAGO worked with other members of the conspiracy to purchase the drugs from suppliers and then to sell them in smaller quantities to lower level dealers, who would then sell them to users of the drugs.