Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking and Cocaine Conspiracy

BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today in connection with drug trafficking activities involving fentanyl and cocaine.

Jovani Santiago, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf scheduled sentencing for May 31, 2021. Santiago was charged by complaint and arrested on Aug. 27, 2020.

Santiago sold approximately 500 grams of fentanyl to a cooperating witness in a Roxbury apartment on Aug. 12, 2020.  Additionally, it is alleged that Santiago conspired with others to distribute cocaine in Massachusetts and New York.

The charges of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and conspiracy to distribute with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 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 and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Field Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Hassink of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.