Leader of Fentanyl Trafficking Organization Pleads Guilty

Press Release

Drug trafficking organization operated in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island

BOSTON - A Providence man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to leading a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Estarlin Ortiz-Alcantara, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for March 7, 2024. Ortiz-Alcantara was charged in July 2022 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2022.

Between approximately February 2021 and July 2022, Ortiz-Alcantara managed a DTO that distributed fentanyl across in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. As part of his DTO's operations, Ortiz-Alcantara controlled a stash house in Fall River to store, process and distribute fentanyl and employed numerous individuals who assisted with mixing, packaging and distributing fentanyl. During a search of Ortiz-Alcantara's stash house in July 2022, more than 12 kilograms of fentanyl, as well as items consistent with running a fentanyl business, including blenders, a hydraulic press and baggies were seized.

Each of the charges provide for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to life 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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira; and Fairhaven Police Chief Michael J. Myers made the announcement today. Special assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Homeland Security Investigations; Bristol County Sherriff's Office; and the Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Scituate, Yarmouth, Providence (R.I.) and West Warwick (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Updated December 15, 2023