BOSTON — A 43-year-old Dominican national was sentenced in federal court Wednesday to 63 months in prison for his role in a drug deal that spanned from New York to Peabody, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.
Juan Santos Roque, of New York, pleaded guilty in October 2020 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
In 2019, Santos Roque’s co-defendant, James De La Cruz, arranged to sell 10 kilograms of fentanyl and six kilograms of heroin to a confidential informant at a hotel in Peabody. On Oct. 21 of that year, Santos Roque and De La Cruz drove from New York to Peabody with 16 kilograms of heroin and fentanyl in a hidden compartment in Santos Roque’s vehicle, prosecutors said.
Upon arrival, Santos Roque met with the confidential informant in the hotel parking lot and handed over the 16 separate drug packages. Agents then took both men into custody.
De La Cruz, who pleaded guilty on May 7, is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 6.
