Martha Coakley on Drugs

Prosecuted marijuana case for growing 100 lbs hydroponically

A Sharon man was sentenced in Middlesex Superior Court to more than two years in jail in connection with his role in a large-scale marijuana distribution ring operating throughout the greater Boston area. Joshua Katz, age 25, was sentenced on the charge of Trafficking in Marijuana, Distribution of Marijuana, and Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws.

From November 2004 through January 2005, the Massachusetts State Police, with the assistance of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division, conducted an investigation into a hydroponic marijuana importation and distribution organization operating within the greater Boston area. Throughout the investigation, police monitored numerous cell phone conversations and text messages on various mobile phones and discovered that Katz was importing large amounts of marijuana and distributing it to various locations throughout the state. The drugs seized in this investigation totaled over 100 pounds of hydroponic marijuana.

Source: Press release on Attorney General website, www.mass.gov Jul 30, 2009

Prosecuted cocaine trafficking cases

A Lynn man pled guilty to cocaine trafficking charges and was sentenced to serve 10 years in State Prison. On November 1, 2007, Pedro Rojas sold approximately 147 grams of cocaine to an undercover State Trooper. A search warrant on Rojas' residence in Lynn resulted in the recovery of approximately $6,000 and over one kilogram of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. In total, the street value of the cocaine seized is approximately $75,000 to $100,000.

Rojas was arrested following a three month joint investigation conducted by the Attorney General's Office, the Lynn Police Department and State Police. During separate occasions, Rojas was observed trafficking cocaine in Lynn, Salem, and Revere.

This case was prosecuted under Attorney General Martha Coakley's Enterprise and Major Crimes Division. State Police assigned to the Attorney General's Office and the Lynn Police Department assisted with this investigation.

Source: Press release on Attorney General website, www.mass.gov Jun 22, 2009

Click here for definitions & background information on Drugs. Click here for a profile of Martha Coakley. Click here for SenateMatch answers by Martha Coakley. Agree? Disagree? Voice your opinions on Drugs in The Forum. Click here for a summary of Martha Coakley's positions on all issues. Click here for issue positions of other MA politicians.
*Other candidates on Drugs:*		*Martha Coakley on other issues:*
*MA Gubernatorial:* Deval Patrick *MA Senatorial:* Alan Khazei John Kerry Michael Capuano Paul Kirk Scott Brown Stephen Pagliuca *Newly elected in 2008 & seated in 2009:* AK:Begich (D) CO:Udall (D) ID:Risch (R) MN:Franken (D) NC:Hagan (D) NE:Johanns (R) NH:Shaheen (D) NM:Udall (D) OR:Merkley (D) VA:Warner (D) Newly appointed in 2009; special election in 2010: DE:Kaufman (D) CO:Bennet (D) IL:Burris (D) NY:Gillibrand (D) *Announced retirement as of 2010:* DE:Kaufman (D) FL:Martinez (R) KS:Brownback (R) MO:Bond (R) OH:Voinovich (R)	*Up for 6-year term in 2010:* (13 Democrats; 15 Republicans) AK:Murkowski (R) AL:Shelby (R) AR:Lincoln (D) AZ:McCain (R) CA:Boxer (D) CT:Dodd (D) GA:Isakson (R) HI:Inouye (D) IA:Grassley (R) ID:Crapo (R) IN:Bayh (D) KY:Bunning (R) LA:Vitter (R) MD:Mikulski (D) NC:Burr (R) ND:Dorgan (D) NH:Gregg (R) NV:Reid (D) NY:Schumer (D) OK:Coburn (R) OR:Wyden (D) PA:Specter (R) SC:DeMint (R) SD:Thune (R) UT:Bennett (R) VT:Leahy (D) WA:Murray (D) WI:Feingold (D)	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Jobs Principles Social Security Tax Reform Technology War/Peace Welfare Other Senators Senate Votes (analysis) Bill Sponsorships Affiliations Policy Reports Group Ratings

Page last updated: Nov 22, 2009