LYNN — Harvey Rodriguez, of Lynn, was arrested Thursday and charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery.
29-year-old Rodriguez, aka “Big Opp,” was detained Thursday afternoon following an appearance at a Boston Federal Court.
Rodriguez is accused of participating in a multi-year drug conspiracy in Lynn and the North Shore of Massachusetts.
“This years-long drug conspiracy is alleged to have involved the manufacture of counterfeit prescription pills, and the sale of entire kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl through Lynn and Massachusetts. Over the course of the federal investigation, Rodriguez is alleged to have distributed cocaine and methamphetamine to a cooperating witness and confidential informant on four occasions,” the Massachusetts Department of Justice wrote in a statement.
Rodriguez is alleged to have conspired with others who have been previously charged with federal drug offenses, including Vincent Caruso, aka “Fatz,” Lawrence Michael Nagle Jr., and Schuyler Oppenheimer, aka “SK,” according to the Department of Justice.
“Rodriguez is also charged with participating in an armed robbery of a drug customer. According to the charging documents, on Jan. 30, 2023, a drug transaction was scheduled to take place at an apartment in Woburn, during which an associate of Rodriguez was to deliver a kilogram of cocaine in exchange for approximately $24,000,” the DOJ wrote.
“It is alleged that, during the transaction, Rodriguez and Claudio Melo entered the apartment and pointed semiautomatic pistols at the drug customer before taking the $24,000 in cash,” the statement said.
The statement continued, “According to the charging documents, the $24,000 cash was proceeds of drug trafficking activities the drug customer was engaged in, which had been placed in an unmarked soft black lunch box on a table. Rodriguez and Melo then allegedly forced the drug customer to open a safe in his bedroom, which was empty. Shortly thereafter, both robbers allegedly departed with the $24,000 cash.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case. Assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Lynn Police Department
The charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.
The charge of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery provides for a maximum penalty of up to 20 years, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
