Leader of Fitchburg Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

BOSTON – The leader of a Fitchburg-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for fentanyl, heroin, crack and cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

Pedro Baez, 54, of Fitchburg, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. In February 2021, Baez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 280 grams or more of cocaine base (commonly known as crack cocaine) and 500 grams or more of cocaine and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of heroin and cocaine. 

Following a fatal fentanyl overdose in September 2018, law enforcement began an investigation into a DTO operating in the Fitchburg area led by Pedro Baez and his son Anthony Baez. Beginning in July 2019, electronic communications revealed that the Baez DTO distributed a fentanyl and heroin mixture, cocaine and crack cocaine on a regular basis to individuals in the Fitchburg area, who then redistributed the drugs to others.

Over the course of the investigation, over 1.8 kilograms of a heroin and fentanyl mixture, over 3.6 kilograms of cocaine and over 50 grams of crack cocaine, as well as a stolen, loaded handgun, drug manufacturing equipment and over $376,000 in cash were seized. 

Pedro Baez was charged along with 17 others in July 2020. All 18 defendants were convicted, either by guilty plea or at trial. Pedro Baez is the 18th and final defendant to be sentenced in the case. In December 2020, Anthony Baez was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 13 years in prison and five years of supervised release.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. The Fitchburg Police Department, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Lunenburg Police Department also provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea E. Porter and Sarah Hoefle of the Criminal Division 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.