Fermin Castillo, the leader of a substantial drug trafficking organization in Massachusetts, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy stated that Castillo had connections with cartels and was responsible for trafficking large quantities of fentanyl.
According to Levy, "The flow of deadly fentanyl from Mexico to Massachusetts is directly tied to the devastation this drug has had on our communities." He further explained that "Castillo was close to the apex of a large-scale drug distribution network that was tied to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico," and added, "This organization pumped cheap, deadly fentanyl onto the streets of dozens of Massachusetts cities and towns." The severity of Castillo's crimes is reflected in his sentence, as Levy noted: "This sentence of 25 years reflects the gravity of his drug dealing and money laundering."
As reported by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Castillo operated in Massachusetts on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel. He was convicted on charges including conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and conspiracy to launder money. Alongside co-defendant Andre Heraux Martinez, Castillo was convicted in May.
The investigation into this drug trafficking organization commenced in July 2020, identifying Castillo as its leader. Despite being a resident of Mexico, Castillo personally traveled to Massachusetts several times to supervise fentanyl deliveries and launder drug proceeds.
The Boston Herald reports that Castillo has been involved in drug trafficking since at least 2004. As the primary supplier of fentanyl for the Sinaloa Cartel in Massachusetts, he established a residence in Boston as his operational base.
Data from the Massachusetts government website reveals that over 2,300 residents died from opioid-related overdoses in 2022. In over 93% of these deaths, fentanyl was detected.
Levy took on his current role as Acting U.S. Attorney after serving as First Assistant U.S. Attorney in May 2023, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. With over three decades of legal experience, Levy worked at the global law firm Ropes & Gray for 17 years before his appointment as U.S. attorney. In recognition of his work as a criminal defense lawyer, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly named him one of the Lawyers of the Year in 2017.
