A Dominican national residing in Haverhill and Methuen, Massachusetts, has been charged for allegedly distributing around 600 fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills. Jose Radhame Sanchez, aged 41, faces charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Following his arrest, Sanchez appeared in federal court in Boston and will remain detained until his hearing on May 6, 2025.
The case documents allege that in April 2025, Sanchez sold approximately 600 suspected fentanyl pills to a cooperating source. On April 9, 2025, Sanchez is said to have distributed about 200 pills in Lawrence, which were pressed to resemble 30-milligram oxycodone doses while allegedly accompanied by a minor. Later, on April 17, 2025, he purportedly distributed around 400 counterfeit pills at a Methuen restaurant.
Additional allegations indicate involvement of Sanchez's Haverhill residence in 2024 with suspected overdose victims. In February 2024, a female found overdosed at his home survived, with Sanchez stating she was found on the roadside and denying knowledge of her being a drug user. Recent phone records, however, reportedly contradict this claim, showing 171 contacts between Sanchez and the victim in March 2025.
In another incident in April 2024, a two-year-old child was discovered unresponsive at Sanchez’s residence, testing positive for fentanyl and cocaine. Sanchez also tested positive for cocaine. The child survived the ordeal.
The conspiracy charge could lead to a maximum of 20 years in prison, with potential supervised release of at least three years to life and a fine up to $1 million. Deportation may follow any imposed sentence. Sentences comply with the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and applicable laws.
The case announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Annapurna Balakrishna and Andrew Caffrey handle the prosecution.
This proceeding is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the Department of Justice to combat illegal immigration, and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, thereby enhancing community safety.
The allegations in the documents remain claims until proven in court, with the defendant entitled to a presumption of innocence.
