Members Of Cape Cod Drug Ring Sentenced For 2019 Kidnapping

CAPE COD, MA — Two members of a Cape Cod heroin trafficking ring were recently sentenced for their roles in a violent kidnapping captured on video, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston announced.

Albert Lee, also known as “Mook,” 32, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was sentenced to nine years in prison and three years of supervised release. In September 2022, Lee pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

Cameron Cartier, 28, of Buzzards Bay, was sentenced on Feb. 14 to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release.

In October 2022, Cartier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice by retaliating against a witness, victim or informant.

Lee and Cartier were charged in a superseding indictment that included co-defendants Edwin Otero, Justin Joseph and Anthony Basilici in March 2020.

"For years, members of Edwin Otero’s drug crew plagued the Cape Cod and Pawtucket communities with their heroin operation and the serious, violent crimes it fueled. These defendants actively participated in a violent scheme to kidnap, beat and terrorize a victim who they incorrectly believed was working with law enforcement," said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins.

"This case is a prime example of how drug trafficking activities drive violence in our neighborhoods. Law-abiding residents in our Commonwealth have a right to live their lives without from fear or intimidation by violent gangs."

According to court documents, in April 2019, members of the crew lured a victim from Massachusetts to Rhode Island, where they kidnapped and held him, stripped him naked, assaulted and threatened to rape him, and then took his clothing and cell telephone.

The purpose of this kidnapping and assault was to retaliate against the victim because the co-conspirators erroneously believed the victim was cooperating with law enforcement, and the assailants repeatedly yelled at the victim for being a “rat”, officials said.

In 2018, law enforcement began investigating a Cape Cod-wide drug trafficking organization led by Otero. The investigation revealed Otero other co-defendants distributed large quantities of heroin throughout Cape Cod, including in Hyannis, Mashpee, Centerville, Osterville and in Pawtucket, R.I.