WORCESTER – A local man pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in Worcester on Monday, September 20.
Pablo Vidarte Hernandez, 48, of Fitchburg pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 280 grams or more of cocaine base and 500 grams or more of cocaine.
The judge scheduled sentencing for Jan 19, 2022.
Hernandez was one of 17 individuals charged in July 2020.
According to prosecutors, a fentanyl overdose in September 2018 prompted a law enforcement investigation of a drug trafficking organization in Fitchburg led by Pedro Baez and Anthony Baez. Electronic communications starting in July 2019 revealed that Vidarte Hernandez and others distributed a fentanyl and heroin mixture to individuals in the Fitchburg area, including to Pedro and Anthony Baez.
Agents seized over 1.8 kilograms of a heroin and fentanyl mixture, over 3.6 kilograms of cocaine and over 50 grams of crack cocaine, as well as a stolen, loaded handgun, drug manufacturing equipment and over $376,000 during the investigation. Vidarte Hernandez distributed over a kilogram of a fentanyl and heroin mixture.
Vidarte Hernandez is the sixth defendant to plead guilty in the case. A federal judge sentenced a federal Anthony Baez to 13 years in prison in December. Sentencing for Pedro Baez is January 18.
