Lawrence man sentenced for leading major drug trafficking ring

Yahoo

2 days ago

BOSTON (WWLP) – A man from Lawrence has been sentenced for leading a large-scale drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl, fentanyl analogues and cocaine.
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The Department of Justice states that 35-year-old Joseph Correa was a target of a long-term investigation into a network of fentanyl and cocaine distributors that were based in and around Lawrence. The investigation revealed that Correa received fentanyl from local suppliers, and that he and co-defendants and brothers Jose Martinez and Luis Martinez regularly traveled to Puerto Rico to purchase wholesale quantities of cocaine, which they mailed to addresses in New England for redistribution in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Correa employed co-defendants and an uncharged co-conspirator to store and process drugs at their residences and to distribute drugs on behalf of Correa. Correa was regularly intercepted over court-authorized wiretaps that discussed the distribution of fentanyl and cocaine, and obtaining, possessing, and using firearms. He and co-defendant Mayi Rosario conspired to launder drug proceeds by using various financial transactions and purchases. During the investigation, fluorofentanyl, fentanyl, cocaine, and drug proceeds were seized from Correa and his associates and packages mailed by or for Correa. On December 15, 2021, Correa was arrested in Caguas, Puerto Rico. During this time, Correa was holding a loaded firearm that had a Glock slide and a privately manufactured grip, which had been converted into a fully automatic weapon.
In May of last year, Jose Martinez was sentenced to 90 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release. In February, Luis Martinez was sentenced to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. In August of last year, Rosario was sentenced to 30 months in prison, followed by one year of home detention and 26 months of supervised release.
Correa was sentenced to 18 years in prison and five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty last year in November to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and other controlled substances; possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense; and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
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