Four Massachusetts men arrested, 30,000 pressed fentanyl tablets and 500 grams of fentanyl seized – Fall River Reporter

BOSTON – Four Massachusetts men have been arrested and charged in federal court in connection with a large-scale fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, 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, were charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. The defendants were arrested on September 13, 2024, and were detained after initial appearances in federal court in Boston pending a hearing scheduled for September 24, 2024.

According to court documents, law enforcement identified Andujar in November 2023 as a large-scale drug trafficker who distributed various narcotics. During the course of the investigation, Andujar allegedly distributed tens of thousands of fentanyl pills, as well as fentanyl powder, cocaine and crystal meth to undercover police officers.

“These arrests underscore our unwavering commitment to fighting the fentanyl crisis that continues to ravage our communities. The sheer volume of fentanyl these defendants allegedly distributed was enough to cost tens of thousands of innocent lives,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to stop the flow of these deadly drugs. We will not hesitate to use every tool at our disposal to hold them accountable and protect the public from this growing epidemic.”

“The DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling large drug trafficking organizations like this one in the Greater Boston area,” said Stephen Belleau, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division. “This organization is responsible for the distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. Fentanyl alone is causing deaths in record numbers and the DEA's top priority is to aggressively pursue anyone who distributes this poison. This investigation demonstrates the strength of the collaboration of local, state and federal law enforcement in Massachusetts and our close partnership with the U.S. Attorney's Office to seek out and bring to justice anyone who commits these crimes.”

According to court documents, Bernabel was identified as a co-conspirator who allegedly worked with Andujar to distribute fentanyl pills, and Fabal was identified as an alleged fentanyl pill supplier to Andujar. Fabal was previously convicted in federal court in Boston in 2007 of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, for which he was sentenced to 67 months in prison and five years probation.

During the arrests last week, 30,000 blue-pressed fentanyl tablets and 500 grams of fentanyl powder were seized from Andujar and Guerrero Soto. Other suspected controlled substances, packaging materials and a money counter were also seized from the homes of Andujar, Bernabel and Fabal.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of probation, and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and statutes governing sentencing in a criminal case.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and Acting DEA-SAC Belleau made the announcement. The Massachusetts State Police and the Boston Police Department provided valuable assistance in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.