9 people convicted in large-scale Bristol County drug trafficking organization – Fall River Reporter

The year-long, multi-agency investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking organization operating in the greater New Bedford area has resulted in the conviction of all defendants connected to the drug ring, the County Prosecutor announced Bristol, Thomas Quinn.

In June 2018, a Dartmouth Police Department detective and a Massachusetts State Trooper from the DA Quinn State Police Drug Unit developed credible information that Orlando Badillo was leading a large trafficking organization of fentanyl drugs in southeastern Massachusetts.

This information sparked “Operation Ghost,” a year-long, multi-agency effort to shut down the trafficking ring. As their investigation progressed, other local and federal law enforcement agencies joined the investigation, including the New Bedford Police, DEA, Homeland Security, and the New Bedford Sheriff's Office. Bristol County.

In March 2019, a Superior Court judge allowed investigators to legally intercept phone conversations and text messages coming in and out of cell phones used by Badillo and other senior members of his organization. Between March 5, 2019 and April 30, 2019, investigators collected additional evidence through wiretapping that detailed the complex operation of the Badillo drug trafficking organization and confirmed the roles played by the various members of the organization.

“Operation Ghost, a long-term undercover investigation, resulted in the dismantling of a large-scale fentanyl distribution ring that sold heroin and fentanyl in the greater New Bedford area. The investigation revealed that the fentanyl was supplied to the organization by a supplier in Providence, RI,” said Prosecutor Quinn. “Without the use of court-approved wiretaps, these drug traffickers would most likely have escaped punishment. I would like to thank all the investigators who devoted many hours to investigative work that led to the arrest and conviction of several defendants.

All criminal cases related to this investigation are now closed and have all resulted in convictions (with the exception of one death).

1. -Orlando Badillo, the leader of the organization, is serving an eight to ten year prison sentence in the state.

2. -Robert Peguero, the drug supplier of the trafficking ring, is serving a five to eight year prison sentence and will then be placed on probation for an additional two years.

3. -David Luna, one of Badillo's three main lieutenants, is serving a five-year prison sentence.

4. -Pedro Cruz, one of Badillo's three main lieutenants, is serving a five-to-six-year prison sentence.

5. -Kelly Rodrigues, one of Badillo's three top lieutenants, is serving four to six and a half years in state prison.

6. -Heather Cabral, one of the organization's top drug traffickers, is serving a sentence of four and a half to seven years in prison. She will then be placed on probation for an additional two years.

7. -Maria Carrion, a temporary drug distributor and trafficker with the organization, is serving four to six and a half years in state prison. She will then be placed on probation for an additional two years.

8. -Xiomara Rivera, who allowed her residence to be used as a hideout, was placed on probation for two years.

9. -Elizabeth Andrews, hideout keeper, was placed on probation for two years.

10. -Lisa Telfair, an alleged hideout keeper, died while her case was pending.