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FRAMINGHAM – Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents arrested a Connecticut man on Wednesday, May 26 at the Red Roof Inn in Framingham and charged him with drug trafficking cocaine and money laundering charges.
U.S. DEA agents arrested Jean Pierre Castro-Novoa, 26, of Stamford, Connecticut, around 2:45 p.m. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute 5 or more kilograms of cocaine; two counts of distribution of more than 500 grams of cocaine; and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Castro-Novoa was held without bail at his arraignment on Thursday.
According to court documents, federal authorities began their investigation in 2019, as part of an international money laundering ring.
The money laundering stretches from Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, South America, and the United States, according to federal authorities.
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Castro-Novoa contacted someone an individual, who was an undercover DEA agent in 2019.
In 2020, Castro-Novoa contacted the same undercover agent, requesting the individual pickup & deliver about $95,000 in New Zealand currency to Castro-Novoa in Connecticut, according to the affidavit filed at U.S. District Court.
Castro-Novoa told that same undercover DEA agent he could supply cocaine to him.
Two undercover agents, including the first one contacted by Castro-Novoa, arranged a meeting at the Red Roof Inn on Cochituate Road in Framingham, in April 2021. Castro-Novoa provided the undercover agents with 500 grams of cocaine, about a pound. Castro-Novoa received $20,000.
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DEA agents then arranged a second meeting in April with Castro-Novoa. It was postponed once and then happened on Wednesday, May 26.
The deal was for 5 kilograms of cocaine, about 11 pounds, for $200,000, according to an affidavit filed at U.S. District Court in Boston.
Castro-Novoa arrived at the Red Roof Inn in Framingham with 4 kilograms of cocaine, about 8 pounds, but told the two undercover DEA agents he could get another 4-5 kilograms by Saturday, May 29.
After confirming the kilograms Castro-Novoa brought to the Red Roof Inn were cocaine, he was arrested.
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