A Lowell resident, Brian Gingras, also known as "Cheech," has admitted his involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy linked to the Asian Boyz street gang. Gingras, 39, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton has set the sentencing for April 15, 2025.
Gingras served as a supplier in a drug network allegedly connected 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 multiple occasions. These pills were then sold by Phim to an undercover federal agent for more than $18,000. Testing revealed that the pills contained methamphetamine and caffeine instead of Adderall.
During a search of Gingras' home, authorities found hundreds of counterfeit "Adderall" and "Xanax" pills along with a pill press. A storage unit maintained by Gingras held additional counterfeit pills and a loaded firearm.
The charges against Gingras carry potential penalties ranging from five years to 40 years in prison, up to life supervised release, and fines reaching $5 million. The court may also order forfeiture of property used in or derived from the offenses.
Bill Phim has entered a not guilty plea; his trial is pending.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy alongside Jodi Cohen from the FBI's Boston Division and Superintendent Greg Hudon of the Lowell Police Department. The investigation received support from various local police departments including Massachusetts State Police.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing gun violence and violent crime through community collaboration and strategic enforcement priorities. It is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation targeting high-level criminal organizations through coordinated efforts among multiple agencies.
The details provided are based on allegations within charging documents; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.