Chicopee man convicted of cocaine trafficking in federal court

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – A Chicopee man has been convicted for his role in a large-scale drug trafficking operation distributing cocaine throughout Massachusetts.

Vicente Gonzalez , 51, was found guilty on October 3, following a four-day trial on charges related to cocaine trafficking. He faces up to 40 years in prison.

Gonzalez was convicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, as well as one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. His sentencing is scheduled for January 8, 2025.

As part of a wide-reaching drug operation, Gonzalez received multiple kilograms of cocaine shipped from Puerto Rico to addresses in Chicopee and West Springfield. He distributed the drugs to co-conspirators in both the Springfield and New Bedford areas. During a search of Gonzalez’s residence on July 29, 2019, authorities seized two kilograms of cocaine, valued at approximately $60,000, from the basement of his home.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess cocaine carries a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, along with a fine of up to $5 million and at least four years of supervised release.

Gonzalez was one of 13 individuals indicted in December 2019 as part of the criminal enterprise. His conviction marks a significant development in the ongoing federal investigation into large-scale drug trafficking in the region.

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