Ipswich detective played role in bringing down fentanyl ring | Local News

IPSWICH — An Ipswich police detective played a key role in bringing down a fentanyl ring last year, court papers revealed.

On Tuesday, a runner for the ring was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for his part in distributing the drugs. 

Julio Cesar Baez, 50, pleaded guilty back in November to conspiracy with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 400 grams of fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opiate.  

Federal prosecutors say Baez was carrying 789 grams of fentanyl (nearly two pounds) when he was arrested back on Feb. 14, 2018. 

The investigation involved intercepting calls on telephone used by a co-defendant, Wareng Jhonny Villar-Ortiz, and others. 

Villar-Ortiz was described in court papers as a mid-level dealer. Both he and Baez are Dominican. Officials say in court papers they could find no record of Baez entering the country legally. 

The investigators learned that Villar-Ortiz had received a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of fentanyl in January 2018, but was unhappy with the quality. 

Agents were watching as the supplier left Villar-Ortiz’s apartment building on Feb. 14, and get into a car and drive away. 

Shortly after that, they saw Baez getting out of the car and getting into another car. That car was stopped, and police found the fentanyl. 

Three other men have been convicted in the operation and are awaiting sentencing, prosecutors said.

Ipswich detective Ted Gallivan was working as part of a task force with the DEA and played a major role in the case, along with officers from Boston and Arlington police, according to court papers. 

Courts reporter Julie Manganis can be reached at 978-338-2521, by email at jmanganis@salemnews.com or on Twitter at @SNJulieManganis.