California Man Arrested for Heroin, Fentanyl Trafficking

BOSTON – A California man was arrested yesterday in connection with drug trafficking activities that resulted in the seizure of approximately 11 kilograms of narcotics, including four kilograms of suspected heroin and five kilograms of suspected fentanyl.

Daniel Hernandez Ixta, 37, of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., was charged today with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of one kilogram or more of heroin and 400 grams or more of fentanyl. He made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston this afternoon and was detained pending a probable cause and detention hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018.

According to court documents, an individual arranged to purchase four kilograms of heroin, five kilograms of fentanyl, and 5,000 pills from a narcotics distributor for a total purchase price of $517,000. The distributor agreed to arrange to have the drugs transported and delivered to the individual in North Andover. On Aug. 29, 2018, Hernandez, an associate of the distributor, allegedly met with the individual in an industrial warehouse park in North Andover near the Lawrence Municipal Airport to complete the transaction. After giving the individual a black duffle bag, agents responded to the scene and arrested Hernandez. It is alleged that nine kilograms of suspected narcotics were found in the duffle bag, and two additional kilograms of suspected narcotics and approximately 5,000 pills were found in Hernandez’s truck.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of one kilogram or more of heroin and 400 grams or more of fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Dolan of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit 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.