Lawrence Woman Sentenced in Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy

BOSTON – A Lawrence woman was sentenced in federal court in Boston yesterday for a drug trafficking offense in connection with her role in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.

Danybelkis Vasquez-Rodrigue, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV, to 45 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On Aug. 30, 2022, Vasquez-Rodrigue was convicted following a five-day trial of one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. 

In November 2020, law enforcement began an investigation into Rodriguez-Ruiz, who had been identified as a Lawrence-based drug supplier. On Nov. 24, 2020, Rodriguez-Ruiz distributed nearly one kilogram of fentanyl to a cooperating witness. In exchange for the fentanyl, Vasquez-Rodrigue collected $42,000 from the cooperating witness.  Through small payments to multiple individuals through local money remitting businesses, Vasquez-Rodrigue then transmitted those drug proceeds to the fentanyl supplier in Mexico. 

On Sept. 9, 2022, Rodriguez-Ruiz was sentenced to 57 months in prison and three years of supervised release after previously being convicted of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. 

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Strike Force including the Norfolk County Sherriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alathea E. Porter and Stephen W. Hassink of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
 
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.