Joshua S. Levy, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts
A Lowell resident, Brian Gingras, known as "Cheech," has pleaded guilty to charges related to a drug trafficking conspiracy involving the Asian Boyz street gang. The 39-year-old admitted to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine, as well as one count of possession with intent to distribute the same quantity. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton has scheduled sentencing for April 15, 2025.
Gingras was implicated as a supplier in a large trafficking network allegedly linked with Bill Phim, a member of the Asian Boyz gang. Between May and September 2022, Gingras reportedly delivered counterfeit pills resembling Adderall to Phim on at least five occasions. These pills were sold by Phim to an undercover federal agent for more than $18,000. Chemical analysis revealed that the pills contained methamphetamine and caffeine instead of Adderall.
Authorities discovered hundreds more counterfeit pills, including those resembling Xanax, along with a pill press at Gingras' residence during their search. A storage unit belonging to him also contained a loaded firearm and additional counterfeit pills.
The charges against Gingras carry potential sentences ranging from five years to 40 years in prison, supervised release of up to life, and fines up to $5 million. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak III from the Organized Crime & Gang Unit.
Phim has entered a plea of not guilty and awaits trial.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, FBI Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen from Boston Division, and Superintendent Greg Hudon of the Lowell Police Department. Support was provided by various local police departments and Massachusetts State Police.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), which aim to combat violent crime and dismantle high-level criminal organizations through coordinated efforts among law enforcement agencies.
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