Lynn Man Arrested for Drug Conspiracy and Armed Robbery

BOSTON – A Lynn man was arrested today in connection with an alleged years-long drug conspiracy and a January 2023 armed robbery of a drug distributor, during which the defendant and another individual allegedly stole approximately $24,000 in drug trafficking proceeds intended for the purchase of a kilogram of cocaine.

Harvey Rodriguez, a/k/a “Big Opp”, 29, of Lynn, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of conspiracy interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery). Rodriguez was arrested this afternoon and was ordered detained following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston.

According to the charging documents, Rodriguez was a participant in a multi-year drug conspiracy taking place in the Lynn area and on the North Shore of Massachusetts. As described in the court papers, Rodriguez is alleged to have conspired with numerous other distributors including those he supplied, and others who have been previously charged with federal drug offenses, including Vincent Caruso, a/k/a “Fatz”, Lawrence Michael Nagle, Jr., and Schuyler Oppenheimer, a/k/a “SK”. This years-long drug conspiracy is alleged to have involved the manufacture of counterfeit prescription pills, and the sale of entire kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl through Lynn and Massachusetts. Over the course of the federal investigation, Rodriguez is alleged to have distributed cocaine and methamphetamine to a cooperating witness and confidential informant on four occasions.

Rodriguez is also charged with participating in an armed robbery of a drug customer. According to the charging documents, on Jan. 30, 2023, a drug transaction was scheduled to take place at an apartment in Woburn, during which an associate of Rodriguez was to deliver a kilogram of cocaine in exchange for approximately $24,000. It is alleged that, during the transaction, Rodriguez and Claudio Melo entered the apartment and pointed semiautomatic pistols at the drug customer before taking the $24,000 in cash. According to the charging documents, the $24,000 cash was proceeds of drug trafficking activities the drug customer was engaged in, which had been paced in an unmarked soft black lunch box on a table. Rodriguez and Melo then allegedly forced the drug customer to open a safe in his bedroom, which was empty. Shortly thereafter, both robbers allegedly departed with the $24,000 cash.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery provides for a maximum penalty of up to 20 years, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Boston made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Massachusetts State Police; and the Lynn Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.