$19K of Drug Money Deposited into Medford Bank: DA

MEDFORD, MA - A Massachusetts man was arrested in connection with the distribution of cocaine in Puerto Rico and around the Commonwealth, the U.S. District Attorney said.

Jose Ramirez-Baez, 39, of Chelsea is accused of selling cocaine in Chelsea, Everett and Puerto Rico from June 2014 until this March, the DA said.

Ramirez-Baez also allegedly possessed and intended to distribute heroin in Massachusetts in December 2015 and January 2016.

The accused allegedly deposited a total of $18,700 into an account bearing the name J&Y Landscaping at a Bank of America branch in Medford, the DA said. The fake name was allegedly part of an attempt to disguise that it was drug money, the DA said.

Ramirez-Baez was indicted on one charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, two counts of attempted possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and three counts of money laundering, the DA said Friday.

The narcotics charges could lead to a sentence of no greater than 40 years with a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $5 million on each count. The money laundering charge provides a sentence no greater than 20 years of prison, supervised release and a fine of $500,000 on each count, the DA said.

Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties, the DA said.