A Massachusetts man was recently sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for drug offenses.
Vando Gvozdarevic, of Chelmsford, reportedly trafficked fentanyl and methamphetamine disguised as oxycodone and Adderall, according to a March 15 news release. He pleaded guilty July 7, 2022, to posession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams of more of fentanyl.
“Communities across our commonwealth and beyond are plagued by the chaos and harm caused by the opioid epidemic that manifests itself in overdose deaths, violence and crime," U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins said in the release. "Mr. Gvozdarevic trafficked this poison into our neighborhoods in the form of tens of thousands of counterfeit pills. The risk of overdose was increased for those seeking diverted pharmaceutical pills and people unfamiliar with street narcotics who thought they were illicitly getting prescription pills when in fact they had potentially deadly and addicting opioid or stimulant.”
Gvozdarevic's charges are in connection with a drug conspiracy centered around the Gangster Disciples in Lawrence, Haverhill and Mathuen, the release reported. There were 12 others also charged with Gvozdarevic in November 2021. The investigation began in August 2020 and is said to have involved the distribution of dangerous drugs like fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and suboxone across multiple states, including Massachusetts, Maine and southern New Hampshire, as well as into the Essex County Jail.
Gvozdarevic reported served as a supplier of the methamphetamine and fentanyl pills disguised as Adderall and oxycodine, according to the release.During a search of his apartment, federal officers seized 12,556 counterfeit Adderall pills and 3,717 counterfeit oxycodine pills.
“The Gangster Disciples are a ruthless gang that preyed upon our communities, and Vando Gvozdarevic was a driving force and prolific pill pusher, who supplied them with deadly narcotics disguised as prescription pills," FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta said in the release. "Today’s sentence should be a warning to other bad actors. The FBI’s North Shore Gang Task Force will stop at nothing to identify, investigate and disrupt those who insist on bringing their harmful business to our neighborhoods.”
