A Cambridge resident, Abdelouahab Adel, was found guilty by a federal jury on July 14 of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute and unlawfully possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking while being a convicted felon. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin has scheduled sentencing for Oct. 20.
According to court proceedings, Adel, age 26, met with and sold cocaine to a cooperating witness on September 19, 2023, in Revere, Massachusetts. Following the sale, he was arrested in possession of a Glock Model 26 nine-millimeter semiautomatic pistol along with additional quantities of cocaine and MDMA (ecstasy). Adel had previously been convicted in Suffolk Superior Court in 2018 for Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon among other charges, making it illegal for him to possess firearms.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine carries up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to lifetime supervised release, and fines up to $1 million. The charge related to possessing a firearm during drug trafficking provides for at least five years—up to life—in prison served consecutively with other sentences, five years supervised release, and fines up to $250,000. Sentencing will be determined according to the United States Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division; Jarod A. Forget from the Drug Enforcement Administration New England Field Division; as well as personnel from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Massachusetts State Police; Billerica and Lowell Police Departments; and Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department were involved in the investigation or prosecution.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Crowley and John J. Reynolds III from the Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting this case.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts is part of the United States Department of Justice employing over 200 attorneys and staff members who enforce federal laws through prosecutions involving national security threats or civil rights violations across Massachusetts facilities including Boston’s John Joseph Moakley United States Federal Courthouse as well as branch offices in Springfield and Worcester while advancing community initiatives on civil rights protection, according to the official website.