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Worcester County resident Amanda Ford, age 35, of Fitchburg, was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty in December 2021 to conspiracy and drug possession charges.
Federal authorities launched an investigation into a drug trafficking organization run by Pedro and Anthony Baez in the Fitchburg area following a fatal fentanyl overdose in September of 2018, according to the US Attorney's Office.
In July 2019, authorities intercepted electronic communications between Pedro, Anthony, and other members of the organization, which showed that Ford worked with Pedro and Anthony "to distribute a fentanyl and heroin mixture and crack cocaine on a regular basis to individuals in the Fitchburg area who then redistributed that mixture to others,” prosecutors said.
During the investigation, federal agents seized the following:
- More than 1.8 kilograms of a heroin and fentanyl mixture;
- More than 3.6 kilograms of cocaine ;
- More than 50 grams of crack cocaine;
- A stolen, loaded handgun;
- Drug manufacturing equipment ;
- More than $376,000.
Ford was charged with 17 others in July 2020. She is the eighth to be sentenced in the case.
Anthony Baez was sentenced to 13 years in prison and five years of supervised release in December 2020. Pedro Baez, and co-conspirators Branny Taveras and Hector Matos have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
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