Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Lawrence resident, Aris Arvelo Gonzalez, 37, was arrested in connection with an investigation into a drug manufacturing operation. Authorities allege that over two kilograms of suspected controlled substances and a pill press were recovered during searches related to the case.
Gonzalez faces one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute and manufacture controlled substances. After his initial appearance in federal court in Boston, he was detained pending a hearing scheduled for November 25, 2025.
According to charging documents, Gonzalez and another individual known as La Culebra allegedly operated a significant drug manufacturing site inside an apartment in Methuen. During a search of this location in August 2025, authorities say they found more than 18 kilograms of controlled substances and a pill press. Following the search, three alleged co-conspirators—Joshua Morales, Manuel Santana-Soto, and Jose Vasquez Lantigua—were arrested and charged.
While on pretrial release after being arrested for drug offenses in January 2025 in Salem District Court in New Hampshire, Gonzalez is accused of selling over 1,500 grams of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl to both a confidential informant and an undercover agent on four occasions between July and November 2025.
At the time of his arrest on November 20th, Gonzalez was allegedly found with thousands of counterfeit pills packaged into smaller bags along with a large amount of cash.
Following his arrest, law enforcement executed search warrants at three locations in Lawrence linked to Gonzalez and the “La Culebra” organization. Officials report that these searches resulted in the recovery of items used for making counterfeit Percocet containing fentanyl—including another pill press and a large bag containing pill binding agent.
The charges carry potential penalties including up to 20 years in prison per count, at least three years (and up to life) supervised release, and fines up to $1 million. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the arrest alongside Ted E. Docks from the FBI’s Boston Division; Jarod A. Forget from the DEA’s New England office; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble from the Massachusetts State Police; as well as assistance from the Essex County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard is prosecuting the case.
"This case is part of Operation Take Back America," officials stated. "Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN)."
Authorities remind that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
