United States

11 Charged in Wide-Ranging Cape Cod Heroin Conspiracy

Heroin and three firearms, including an assault rifle, recovered

Eleven individuals from Cape Cod and Rhode Island were arrested Monday and charged in federal court in Boston in a wide-ranging heroin conspiracy.

The following individuals were charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin:

  • Edwin Otero, 29, of Hyannis;
  • Justin Joseph, 32, of Pawtucket, R.I.;
  • Anthony Basilici, 35, of Pawtucket, R.I.;
  • Vinicius Zangrande, 35, of Centerville;
  • Krymeii Fray, 23, of Hyannis;
  • Brooke Cotell, 25, of Hyannis;
  • Ronny Baams, 37, of South Yarmouth;
  • Tony Johnson, 35, of Hyannis;
  • Eric Brando, 27, of Osterville;
  • Joshua Johnson, 31, of Mashpee; and
  • Kimberly Lopes, 49, of Hyannis

According to court documents, in 2018, federal, state and local law enforcement began investigating Otero, an alleged leader of a Cape Cod-wide drug trafficking organization. It is alleged that the investigation revealed Otero and his 10 co-defendants distributed large quantities of heroin and other controlled substances throughout Cape Cod, including in Hyannis, Mashpee, Centerville, Osterville, and in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

On May 8, 2019, Otero, Joseph, and Basilici were allegedly involved in a shooting at Fray’s residence related to a drug debt Fray owed. Agents intercepted Otero discussing the fact that he was involved in the shooting.

As a result of search warrants executed Monday, heroin, packaging materials, scales, a finger press, and three firearms and ammunition, including a 9 mm assault-style weapon, were seized. A bullet hole in Fray’s home, consistent with the shooting reported on May 8, was also observed.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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