On August 29, the FBI completed an operation that led to the arrest of two Mexican nationals and the seizure of 15 kilograms of cocaine valued at more than $500,000.
Boston FBI office and State Police worked to stop the trafficking
Gerardo Madrigal Quintero, 23, of Culiacan, Mexico, and Joel Enrique Armenta Castro, 30, of Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, were taken into custody by FBI Special Agents and Massachusetts State Police Troopers from the Westfield barracks. Both men have been charged by the state with trafficking in 200 grams or more of cocaine, and conspiracy to violate drug law.
The FBI discovered that two Mexican drug suppliers were on their way from Mexico to Massachusetts to deliver the cocaine. The federal agents developed a plan with Massachusetts State Police to follow and catch the criminals and secure the drugs before they hit the streets.
“These arrests are a direct result of the hard work and dedication shared between federal, state and local law enforcement in our efforts to identify and remove large-scale drug traffickers from our communities. In preventing 15 kilos of cocaine from Mexico from hitting Massachusetts streets, there’s no question our neighborhoods and citizens are much safer.”
Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division in a press release
Law enforcement aircraft were used to follow the truck to the Ludlow Travel Plaza on the Massachusetts Turnpike (MassPike). Agents were able to witness the drug deal and apprehend Castro without incident.
Soon after that, Massachusetts State Police stopped the tractor trailer being driven by Quintero on Route 91 South in Longmeadow. He was also taken into custody without incident.
Both defendants were arraigned and held without bail. Hearings are scheduled for September 2.
Read more by Rooster and follow me here! Need to reach out to me, send me an email!
Sign up for the Back The Truck Up Newsletter!
Listen to the Back The Truck Up Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google Podcasts!
