The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office has announced that Pedro Lopez, 32, from Lynn, has pleaded guilty to multiple drug and gun charges. He was sentenced to ten years in prison following the discovery of approximately $1.2 million worth of counterfeit pills and three firearms at a luxury apartment complex in Saugus.
In November 2022, the Massachusetts State Police's Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team North (CINRET-North) received information about a large quantity of narcotics located at The Residences at Stevens Pond on Rock Wood Drive. Troopers secured the apartment and obtained a search warrant for the residence. During the search, investigators seized around 23,000 grams of pressed pill Methamphetamine, about 3,900 grams of pressed pill Fentanyl, and three firearms, including one "ghost gun."
According to a 2024 DEA Threat Assessment: “fake prescription pills containing fentanyl present an extreme danger. Most of these fake pills are made to look nearly identical to real prescription pills... In 2023, DEA forensic laboratory analysis showed that approximately 7 in 10 fake pills contain a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl (approximately 2 milligrams).”
Further investigation indicated that Lopez did not reside at the Saugus apartment but likely used it as storage for narcotics. The apartment was rented under the name of an individual whose identity had been stolen.
After reviewing evidence from the apartment, fingerprint analysis on the pills, digital evidence, and call detail analysis obtained via search warrants and subpoenas, investigators arrested Lopez in May 2023. He faced charges including six counts of Trafficking Methamphetamine (200g or more), Trafficking Fentanyl (200g or more), Trafficking Fentanyl (18g or more), Trafficking Cocaine (18g or more), three counts of Possession of a Firearm without a License, and Possession of Ammunition. Approximately $140,000 in cash was also seized during related searches.
On January 10, 2025, Lopez pleaded guilty in Essex County Superior Court and received his sentence with an additional two years probation upon completion.
Chief Christina Ronan from the AGO’s Enterprise and Major Crimes Division prosecuted this case with assistance from troopers assigned to MSP’s CINRET-North and other law enforcement agencies.