Joshua S. Levy, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts
A New Bedford resident, Vinicio DeJesus Marrero Arias, has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for his involvement in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy. The sentencing took place in Boston's federal court, presided over by Chief U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV. In addition to the prison term, Arias will face three years of supervised release and deportation after serving his sentence.
Arias pleaded guilty in October 2024 to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. The investigation into his activities was centered around the Lord Phillips Apartments in New Bedford, where he was identified as a distributor of the drug.
Authorities conducted searches at Arias' residence, an apartment used as a stash location, and two storage units rented by Yohenry Contreras-Lara, a co-conspirator. These searches led to the seizure of several hundred grams of fentanyl and $1.2 million in cash suspected to be proceeds from drug sales.
Contreras-Lara admitted guilt in November 2024 and is awaiting sentencing on March 3, 2025.
The announcement of Arias' sentencing was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Field Division; and Bradley Parker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General's Office of Investigations in Boston. The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office and the New Bedford Police Department provided significant assistance during the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich from the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is handling the prosecution.
