By A mother and son from Massachusetts have been handed substantial prison sentences in federal court for their roles in a widespread North Shore drug trafficking organization that distributed tens of thousands of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday.
Javier Bello, 29, of Beverly, known as “Javi,” was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. His mother, Chevon Dorce, 45, of Lynn, received a 23-month prison term with three years of supervised release. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Dennis F. Saylor IV presided over both sentencings.
Bello pleaded guilty in May 2024 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, along with a separate possession charge. Dorce entered a guilty plea in July 2024 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
“The sentences handed down today reflect the gravity of distributing counterfeit pills laced with potentially lethal substances like fentanyl,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “This operation put countless lives at risk, and these sentences send a clear message about the consequences of such actions.”
Court documents revealed the intricate workings of the drug trafficking organization, which primarily operated in the Lynn area. Bello acted as a key figure, directing various individuals to acquire, distribute, and store controlled substances on his behalf. The organization specialized in counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl and fake Adderall pills laced with methamphetamine.
In one intercepted transaction, Bello was observed distributing approximately 1,000 fentanyl-laced pills to a co-conspirator. Subsequent analysis determined the seized pills contained about 135.5 grams of fentanyl.
The investigation uncovered multiple stash locations used by the organization. A search of Dorce’s residence in October 2022 yielded a significant haul: 2.5 kilograms of fentanyl, 22 grams of cocaine, a firearm hidden in furniture, and an inoperable pill press. Additional searches at other locations linked to the organization resulted in the seizure of various drugs, including marijuana and cocaine base, multiple firearms, and cash presumed to be drug proceeds.
Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Division, stated, “This case demonstrates the multi-faceted approach needed to combat modern drug trafficking operations. From counterfeit pills to hidden firearms, we’re dealing with increasingly sophisticated criminal enterprises.”
The investigation, part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, involved collaboration between federal agencies and local police departments, including Beverly, Everett, Peabody, Revere, Salem, Saugus, and Swampscott.
Several co-conspirators have already been sentenced in connection with the case, receiving prison terms ranging from two months to nearly six years. These include Isaac Clayton, Kion Shepherd, Erick Solis Lopez, and Melvin Nieves, all of whom played various roles in the drug trafficking operation.
As the opioid crisis continues to impact communities across the nation, this case underscores the ongoing efforts of federal and local authorities to combat the distribution of dangerous counterfeit drugs. The sentences handed down to Bello and Dorce serve as a stark reminder of the legal consequences facing those involved in large-scale drug trafficking operations.
The Department of Justice provided this information. The details contained in the original indictment are allegations, and any remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
