Three Haverhill residents, arrested for fentanyl-related drug trafficking charges in 2018, pleaded guilty this week in Essex County Superior Court and were sentenced to prison terms ranging from two to five years.
They were among four residents arrested nearly two years ago after police seized 3.7 kilograms of the drug from their Winter Street home. Arismendy J. Santana, 29, and Wilman Diaz, 27, each received a prison term of four to five years, with two years’ probation. Milagro Santana, 28, was sentenced to state prison for two to three years, with two years’ probation. All had been charged with trafficking fentanyl, 10 grams or more; conspiracy to violate drug laws; and unlawful possession of ammunition. Santana was additionally charged with resisting arrest.
“We are tackling the opioid crisis in our state from all angles, including going after drug traffickers,” said Attorney General Maura Healey. “As a result of this investigation, which involved collaboration across local, state, and federal law enforcement, these defendants will serve prison time for peddling this dangerous drug on our streets.”
All were sentenced by Superior Court Judge Salim Tabit.
The 2018 arrest came as the result of an investigation involving the attorney general’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crime Division, Massachusetts State Police, State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Haverhill Police. Authorities seized fentanyl during the course of the investigation through controlled buys and execution of search warrants.