Lawrence Drug Courier Convicted Of Trafficking Controlled Substances
Monday, December 1, 2025, 7:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
BOSTON, MA.- A 65-year-old Lawrence, Massachusetts, man and taxi driver will be facing up to two decades in federal prison when sentenced next year after being found guilty last month for his role in a drug trafficking organization that distributed large quantities of controlled substances throughout Boston, Massachusetts.
According to U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, on Thursday, November 20, 2025, following a trial in Federal Court in Boston, Massachusetts, before Senior U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV, a jury for the District of Massachusetts, found Jose Dolores Batista, 65, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, guilty of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, Cocaine, Fentanyl, and Methamphetamine.eFentan
Following the jury returning their finding of guilt, Judge Saylor accepted the verdict and scheduled sentencing for a date and time to be determined by the District Court. At that time, Batista faces up to 20 years in federal prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. When sentenced, a U.S. District Court Judge would determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Batista’s prior criminal history, if any.
In June 2023, Batista was arrested after being identified as a courier for a drug trafficking organization that was responsible for distributing large quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. In his role, Batista would utilize the taxi he was driving to deliver illicit narcotics, drive drug dealers, and collect drug money from various customers of the drug trafficking organization daily.
According To The Evidence Presented At Trial
Evidence presented at trial proved beyond a reasonable doubt that on multiple dates, Batista traveled to pick up drugs and drug proceeds. Specifically, evidence proved that Batista traveled on one occasion to pick up $8,000 as partial payment for a kilogram of fentanyl. On another occasion, Batista traveled to South Lawrence to pick up a kilogram of cocaine and then drove the cocaine to Boston, where he exchanged it for $15,000. On another occasion, he drove to Lowell to pick up 350 grams of fentanyl.
U.S. Attorney Foley commended the investigative work of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Natick, Newton, Waltham, and Brookline Police Departments, which led to the successful prosecution of Batista.
