By Federal authorities have arrested four Boston-area men in connection with an alleged large-scale fentanyl trafficking operation, seizing approximately 30,000 pressed fentanyl pills and 500 grams of powdered fentanyl.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced the arrests on September 13, 2024. The suspects, identified as Anderson Ernesto Andujar Echavarria, 31, of Dorchester; Waner Bernabel Presinal, 37, of Dorchester; Carlos Fabal, 52, of Roxbury; and Freddy Artemio Guerrero Soto, 29, of Boston, face charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
According to court documents, the investigation began in November 2023 when law enforcement identified Andujar as an alleged large-scale drug trafficker. Over the course of the investigation, Andujar allegedly distributed tens of thousands of pressed fentanyl tablets, as well as powdered fentanyl, cocaine, and crystal methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement officers.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy emphasized the significance of the arrests, stating, “The sheer quantity of fentanyl these defendants allegedly distributed was enough to take tens of thousands of innocent lives. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to disrupt the flow of these lethal drugs.”
Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division, highlighted the collaborative effort in the investigation. “This organization is responsible for distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Fentanyl alone is causing deaths in record numbers, and DEA’s top priority is to aggressively pursue anyone who distributes this poison,” Belleau said.
The investigation also revealed alleged roles for the other suspects. Bernabel was identified as a co-conspirator who allegedly worked with Andujar to distribute fentanyl pills. Fabal was identified as an alleged fentanyl pill supplier to Andujar. Court documents note Fabal’s previous federal conviction in 2007 for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, resulting in a 67-month prison sentence. Guerrero Soto was arrested alongside Andujar during the seizure of the fentanyl pills and powder.
Additional suspected controlled substances, packaging materials, and a money counter were also seized from the residences of Andujar, Bernabel, and Fabal.
If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted that sentences are imposed by federal district court judges based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
The Massachusetts State Police and Boston Police Department provided assistance in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
A detention hearing for the defendants is scheduled for September 24, 2024.
Credit: DOJ
