Dominican National Charged with Fentanyl-Related Crimes

BOSTON – A Dominican national was charged on Wed., Oct. 25, 2017, with drug crimes related to his role in a wide-ranging operation that distributed cocaine and fentanyl throughout Boston and Cape Cod.

Kelvin Chalas, a/k/a Jose Solivan, a/k/a “Keco,” 40, a Dominican national residing in Dorchester, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of possession of 40 grams or more of fentanyl with the intent to distribute. Chalas was arrested on Aug. 22, 2017, and charged by criminal complaint along with three co-conspirators.

Chalas and his co-conspirators, James Ramirez and Alex and Kevin Fraga, shipped large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine and heroin from Boston to Cape Cod, where it was redistributed.  It is alleged that Chalas helped run a drug stash house for Ramirez, who would collect the narcotics and take them to Cape Cod for distribution.

The conspiracy charge provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million.  The possession charge provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, five years to life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million.  Chalas will be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; and Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe made the announcement today. The investigation was led by the DEA Cape Cod Resident Office and the Massachusetts State Police - Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office in conjunction with the Brewster, Harwich, Sandwich, Mashpee, Chatham, Yarmouth, and Barnstable Police Departments and the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Rosen of Weinreb’s Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.