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 sentence was handed down by Chief U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV in Boston. 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 charges stemmed from an investigation into fentanyl trafficking activities centered around the Lord Phillips Apartments in New Bedford.
Authorities conducted searches at Arias' residence, a stash apartment, and two storage units linked to his co-conspirator, Yohenry Contreras-Lara. These searches yielded several hundred grams of fentanyl and $1.2 million in cash believed to be drug proceeds.
Contreras-Lara admitted guilt in November 2024 and is awaiting sentencing on March 3, 2025.
The announcement 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 for the Boston Field Division. 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.