Federal agents say a Gardner man turned a local painting business into the hub of a multi-state drug trafficking and money-laundering operation that stretched from New England to Hawaii. The man was arrested Monday in a sweep that charged 18 people and targeted alleged trafficking in cocaine, marijuana, counterfeit pills and other controlled substances. Prosecutors say the painting outfit doubled as a front to conceal and move the crew’s profits.
Federal indictment and arrests
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts announced Monday that 18 individuals were arrested in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, California and Hawaii, with initial appearances in federal courts in Worcester and other districts, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts. Among those charged is 39-year-old Hai Son Pham of Gardner, whom prosecutors say headed a North Worcester County organization at the center of the case. The announcement credited investigators from IRS Criminal Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration and local police partners for what officials describe as a wide-ranging, multi-agency probe.
Painting company alleged to be a laundering front
Charging documents say Pham registered and controlled Infinite Painting, a commercial and residential painting company, and allegedly used it to launder drug proceeds through multiple financial institutions, according to NBC Boston. Prosecutors allege the group distributed large quantities of drugs, including counterfeit pills that investigators say can be especially dangerous, in multiple states. The indictment lists co-defendants from Central Massachusetts and several other jurisdictions, many of whom appeared in federal court last week.
Charges, penalties and legal note
The charging papers include one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of conspiracy to launder money. Each charge can carry up to 20 years in prison, with potential fines of up to $1 million for the drug conspiracy and $500,000 or twice the amount involved for the money-laundering count, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Prosecutors stressed that the details in the charging documents remain allegations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial Bennett of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
Local fallout and what’s next
Local police departments across Worcester County assisted the federal investigation, and officials say several defendants have been or will be transferred to face proceedings in different federal districts, according to local reporting by Patch. Court dates and detention filings vary by defendant and by district as the case moves through federal dockets. Prosecutors say they expect to keep developing the investigation while the current charges work their way through the system.
