All Defendants in ‘Operation Ghost’ Drug Investigation Sentenced

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced Wednesday that all defendants have now been convicted in the year-long multi-agency investigation into fentanyl trafficking on the SouthCoast that was dubbed “Operation Ghost.”

“Operation Ghost” began in June 2018 after a Dartmouth Police detective and a Massachusetts State Police trooper from Quinn’s Police Drug Unit developed credible information that Orlando Badillo of New Bedford was operating a major fentanyl trafficking ring throughout southeastern New England.

Soon after, other local agencies such as New Bedford Police, the Drug Enforcement Agency, Homeland Security and the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office joined in the ongoing investigation.

In March 2019, investigators were permitted to intercept cell phone conversations and texts between phones owned by Badillo and other members of the organization. Between March 5 and April 30 of 2019, investigators were able to gather information that explained in detail how the organization worked and the roles played by the various members.

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Over time, that led to the conviction of all the defendants in the case:

– Badillo, the leader of the organization, is serving an eight-to-10-year state prison sentence.

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

– David Luna, one of Badillo’s three top lieutenants, is serving a five-year state prison sentence.

– Pedro Cruz, one of Badillo’s three top lieutenants, is serving a five-to-six-year state prison sentence.

– Kelly Rodrigues, one of Badillo’s three top lieutenants, is serving a four-to-six-and-a-half year state prison sentence.

– Heather Cabral, a chief drug runner in the organization, is serving a four-and-a-half to seven-year state prison sentence. She will then be placed on probation for an additional two years.

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

– Xiomara Rivera, who allowed her residence to be used as a stash house, was placed on probation for two years.

– Elizabeth Andrews, a keeper of a stash house, was placed on probation for two years.

– Lisa Telfair, an alleged keeper of a stash house, died during the pendency of her case.

“Operation Ghost, a long term undercover investigation, resulted in dismantling a large-scale fentanyl distribution ring that was selling heroin and fentanyl in the greater New Bedford area. The investigation revealed that fentanyl was being supplied to the organization from a supplier in Providence, RI,” District Attorney Quinn said. “Without the use of court-approved wiretaps these drug dealers most likely would have escaped punishment.

“I would like to thank all the investigators who put in many hours of investigative work that led to the arrest and conviction of multiple defendants,” Quinn said.