A Bridgewater resident has been sentenced to over six years in prison for cocaine trafficking, according to a federal court ruling in Boston. Kevin Mercado, aged 38, received a sentence of 78 months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release. In October 2024, Mercado admitted guilt to charges of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
The investigation into the drug trafficking organization began in 2019, focusing on activities in southeastern Massachusetts, including Brockton. Between March 2020 and November 2023, authorities conducted 11 controlled drug purchases from Mercado. A search at his Bridgewater apartment in November 2023 uncovered nearly one and a half kilograms of cocaine and cocaine base, three digital scales, a money counter, and $16,086 in drug proceeds. Further examination of Mercado's SnapChat account revealed communications indicating access to large quantities of cocaine and an intention to convert it into crack cocaine.
Mercado had previously served a 48-month federal prison sentence following a conviction for two counts of distributing cocaine base in 2010.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. The Massachusetts State Police and the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office provided significant assistance during the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Weinstein prosecuted the case.
This operation is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative. This initiative establishes permanent multi-agency task force teams that collaborate on intelligence-driven operations aimed at disrupting major drug traffickers and criminal organizations within the United States.