Two Men Arrested For Drug TraffickingOver One Kilo Of Heroin And Bullet Proof Vest Recovered From Search Today

BOSTON - A criminal complaint was unsealed today charging two men, from Bourne and New Bedford, with federal narcotics trafficking. The complaint resulted from federal, state and local authorities efforts to reduce violence and drug trafficking in the New Bedford area by identifying and investigating individuals involved in these criminal activities.

Francisco Monteiro, a/k/a Cisco, (“Monteiro”), 32, of Bourne, is charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin; and Junior Lopes (“Lopes”), 34, of New Bedford, is charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin.

During a court authorized search of Lopes’s home today at 162 Apponagansett Street in New Bedford, agents seized approximately one and a half kilograms of heroin as well as a bullet-proof vest. During the search of Monteiro’s residence today at 4D Beach Plum Lane, in Bourne, agents seized packaging materials, cell phones and other evidence consistent with drug trafficking.

Monteiro and Lopes are charged with conspiring among themselves, and others, to distribute over 100 grams of heroin. It is alleged that on Feb. 15, 2013, Monteiro and Lopes arranged and facilitated the sale of almost 100 grams of heroin to a cooperating witness in New Bedford. Federal agents recorded telephone calls to Monteiro where he agreed to provide heroin to a cooperating witness (“cw”). Monteiro and Lopes allegedly drove with the cw to an address in New Bedford where the heroin sale was completed. Monteiro and Lopes further planned and arranged for the sale of an additional 50 grams of heroin to the cw that was to take place on Feb. 25, 2013, although the sale was not completed.

As detailed in the complaint, Monteiro and Lopes have extensive criminal histories of violent crimes, including armed robberies of other drug dealers to obtain money to fund their drug dealing activities. Monteiro has prior convictions for drug distribution and unlawful possession of a firearm. In 2003, Lopes was convicted in U.S. District Court in Boston for gun and drug trafficking and received a sentence of 130 months. Lopes is currently on supervised release for those offenses.

The maximum penalty under the statute if convicted for both defendants is a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years, up to life in prison; a fine of up to $20 million; and a minimum period of supervised release of 10 years.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Colonel Timothy Alben, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; C. Samuel Sutter, Bristol County District Attorney; Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson of Bristol County; Chief Dennis R Woodside of the Bourne Police Department; and Chief Richard M. Stanley of the Wareham Police Department made the announcement today.

This case is being prosecuted by Christopher Pohl in Ortiz’s Organized Crime Strike Force Unit.

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