Nine Individuals Arrested on Federal and State Charges

Press Release

BOSTON - As part of an investigation into the transnational criminal organization 18th Street Gang operating in and around the North Shore area of Boston, four men were arrested and charged yesterday with federal drug offenses. Five individuals were also arrested for various state crimes including drug trafficking, child abuse crimes (including rape of a child, posing a child in a state of nudity and possession of child pornography) and unlawful possession of ammunition.

The following individuals have been charged in U.S. District Court in Boston with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl:

1. Orlando Mancia, a/k/a Intruso, 22, of Everett, who is an alleged member of the 18th Street Gang;
2. Tony Cartegena-Chacon, 46, of Chelsea;
3. Hector Luis Santana Guzman, a/k/a "DJ Black," 33, of Lawrence; and
4. John Angel, 31, of Nantucket

"Fentanyl continues to devastate lives across Massachusetts, and the defendants arrested yesterday allegedly pumped this poison into North Shore communities for a profit," said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. "These charges represent the continued close working relationship across federal, state and local law enforcement to relentlessly investigate, identify and disrupt criminal organizations and our efforts to protect our communities from lethal narcotics."

"With this operation, the FBI's North Shore Gang Task Force has removed alleged drug traffickers accused of pushing deadly poison onto our streets, hoping to avoid detection," said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. "This case highlights how the FBI and our partners at every level are working together to target criminals wreaking havoc and mayhem, just to make money and a name for themselves on the street."

"The arrest of these individuals, including a known 18th Street gang member, for dealing fentanyl in the North Shore of Boston is a critical step in combating the devastating impact of illegal drugs in our communities," said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. "Fentanyl continues to claim lives at an alarming rate, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to holding accountable those who profit from this deadly substance. By working collaboratively with our federal, state, and local partners, we are sending a clear message: we will not tolerate the distribution of dangerous narcotics that endanger the lives and safety of our citizens."

According to the charging documents, on Oct. 15, 2024, Mancia sold approximately 500 pressed fentanyl pills to a cooperating witness in Everett. Later, on Oct. 23, 2024, it is alleged that Mancia again sold another 500 pressed fentanyl pills along with cocaine to the cooperating witness in Everett. According to the charging documents, Cartegena-Chacon distributed and possessed with intent to distribute over 40 grams of fentanyl.

It is alleged that approximately 100 grams of suspected cocaine and approximately $25,000 cash were recovered from Angel's residence on Nantucket during a search at the time of his arrest.

Additionally, as part of the investigation, the following additional individuals were arrested and charged in state court with various crimes including drug trafficking (including fentanyl and cocaine), child abuse crimes (including rape of a child, posing child in a state of nudity and possession of child pornography) and unlawful possession of ammunition:

1. Elvin Martinez, 23, of Everett;
2. Marlon Eduardo Varela, 20, of Everett;
3. Fidel Alexis Orellana, 21, of Cheslea;
4. Bryan Molina, 21, of Chelsea; and
5. Luis Borja, 20, of Chelsea.

The federal charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life, of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least five and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $5,000,000. 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 U.S. Attorney Levy, FBI SAC Cohen and ATF SAC Ferguson made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Falmouth, Lynn, Medford, Nantucket and Revere Police Departments; Massachusetts State Police; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations; and the Suffolk County and Middlesex County District Attorney's Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Hoefle and Timothy Moran of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit are 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.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Updated November 22, 2024