Chelsea Man Indicted for Massachusetts and Puerto Rico Cocaine Distribution Scheme

BOSTON – A Chelsea resident was arrested today in connection with distributing cocaine in Massachusetts and Puerto Rico.

Jose Ramirez-Baez, 39, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, two counts of attempted possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and three counts of money laundering. 

According to the indictment, from June 2014 to March 2016, Ramirez-Baez conspired to possess and distribute cocaine in Chelsea, Everett and Puerto Rico.  He also allegedly possessed with intent to distribute heroin in Massachusetts in December 2015 and January 2016.  According to the indictment, on three occasions between Sept. 28, 2015 and Nov. 12, 2015, Ramirez-Baez deposited a total of $18,700 in an account bearing the name J&Y Landscaping at a Bank of America branch in Medford.  Ramirez-Baez deposited the money in an effort to conceal the fact that it was derived from proceeds of narcotics trafficking.

The narcotics charges provide a sentence of no greater than 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $5 million on each count.  The charge of money laundering provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000 on each count.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Manny J. Muriel, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; and Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Rosen of Ortiz’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit.

The details contained in the Indictment are allegations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.