Yesterday, Worcester resident Yoelfi Feliz was taken into custody on charges regarding fentanyl distribution conspiracy and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, as per the United States Department of Justice.
Between June and October 2023, Feliz is said to have sold in excess of 700 grams of fentanyl to a cooperative witness based in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Additionally, he is reported to have the sold firearms such as pistols, an AR-15 and AK-47 rifles, along with homemade firearms known as "ghost guns" and ammunition.
Identifying and addressing these threats constitutes a wider effort spanning across multiple law enforcement agencies and community organizations. For instance, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, reinforced on May 26, 2021, aims for a holistic, intelligence-based approach to counter violent crimes and gun violence through trust-building, community support, priority enforcement and outcome assessment.
In line with this, Feliz's arrest was the result of a collaborative effort among organizations such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Massachusetts Department of Correction, and the police departments of Lawrence, Methuen, and Worcester. The case also falls under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, established to dismantle major drug trafficking, money laundering, gang activity, and transnational criminal organizations through collaborative operations.
Feliz's case is still unfolding, with the hearing set for November 30th, 2023.
