Two Dominican Nationals Indicted for Drug Trafficking

BOSTON – Two Dominican nationals were indicted today in federal court in Boston for heroin trafficking.

Angel Martinez-Peguero, 27, and his brother Alexander Martinez-Peguero, 38, both of whom resided in Lawrence, were charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Angel Martinez-Peguero was additionally charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The brothers will be arraigned at a later date set by the court.

According to the charging documents, on Dec. 20, 2018, investigators seized nearly one kilogram of heroin from the Martinez-Peguero brothers during a law enforcement operation in Lawrence. Investigators also seized a loaded semi-automatic pistol from Angel Martinez-Peguero’s waistband upon his arrest.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a fine of $5 million. The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison to be served consecutive to any sentence imposed for the underlying drug trafficking crime. 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’s New England Division; and Colonel Kerry Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

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