Elijah Declet, 26, from Haverhill, has received an eight-year prison sentence followed by four years of supervised release for his role in a drug conspiracy. The Department of Justice reports that Declet was involved in distributing cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl throughout Lawrence, Haverhill, and Methuen in Massachusetts. His connection to the Gangster Disciples, and capability to intertwine gang disputes with drug trafficking activities, painted a unique portrait of crime in these areas.
Charges were filed against Declet in November 2021, as part of a larger investigation into the Gangster Disciples. Launched in August 2020, the investigation discovered extensive communication between gang members and leader regarding their drug distribution activities. These included parts of Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, and the Essex County Jail. Declet's recorded calls with other gang members revealed detailed discussions about distributing cocaine and fentanyl. Moreover, he was found to have given cocaine and methamphetamine pills to a cooperating witness multiple times.
An intriguing twist about Elijah Declet's case came to light in Eagle Tribune. Back in September 2019, Declet and an associate, Eric Cruz, were charged with six counts of defacing property and one count of disorderly conduct. To try defuse ongoing tension, Cruz set up a paintball game between the Gangster Disciples and the rival Trinitario gang. The plan however, escalated into violence and affected local neighborhoods and city parks.
In an interview, Cruz admitted to the fallout of his peace strategy. He was an employee of United Teen Equality Center (UTEC), a Haverhill-based nonprofit. UTEC builds relationships with active gang members and offers guidance to those looking to leave gang life. UTEC CEO, Gregg Croteau, clarified that Cruz acted independently in organizing the paintball event and had not gotten approval from the organization.
Declet's sentencing marks the conclusion of his criminal activities, and highlights the consequences of getting tangled up in the network of gang life. His case underscores the need for efforts aimed at reducing violence to be carefully planned and implemented. It stands as a reminder of the careful navigation required to deal with the web of gang relationships and to devise solutions that can lead to a safer society.
