Federal Jury Convicts Final Defendant in Massive Chicago-Duluth Fentanyl Scheme

Federal authorities have made significant arrests and convictions in major fentanyl trafficking operations across the U.S. In Massachusetts, Harvey “Big Opp” Rodriguez was charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, and for robbing one of his own dealers at gunpoint as part of a criminal enterprise known as "Big Opp Entertainment". In Minnesota, Carl Maurice Brown was found guilty by a federal jury for his role in a large-scale Chicago-to-Duluth fentanyl trafficking ring, which moved massive quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine into northern Minnesota. This operation was led by Ezell Cordero Lucas, who managed the network from Chicago while directing associates like Brown to distribute drugs on the ground in Duluth. Authorities seized nearly 900 grams of fentanyl and over 260 grams of methamphetamine in multiple seizures and linked the drugs to at least one overdose death. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson emphasized the devastating impact of fentanyl on communities and pledged continued efforts to dismantle these drug trafficking networks.