Spencer Man Charged with Federal Cocaine Offense

BOSTON – A Spencer man was arrested today and charged in federal court in Worcester with cocaine distribution.

Melvin Burgos, 33, was charged by criminal complaint with possessing approximately one kilogram of cocaine with intent to distribute. He will appear in federal court in Worcester later today.

According to the charging documents, in late October 2018, Burgos made arrangements to obtain cocaine, sell it, and then transport the proceeds to New York. On Nov. 1, 2018, law enforcement stopped the vehicle Burgos was driving and seized approximately one kilogram of cocaine. 

It is alleged that Burgos also asked another individual to obtain a sample of pills containing fentanyl, which Burgos planned to provide to one of his partners. Burgos allegedly stated that if the pills were of good quality, his partner would buy 1,000. According to the charging documents, Burgos contemplated being able to earn up to $10,000 a month selling these pills, but predicted that it was also possible to go to jail without bail.

Burgos faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, made the announcement today. The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police provided valuable assistance to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

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