A Lawrence, Massachusetts man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his involvement in a drug and kidnapping conspiracy. Justin Suriel, 28, received the sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani. The sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release. In August 2024, Suriel pleaded guilty to charges including being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition; conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute significant quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and Suboxone; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine; and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
Suriel was initially charged in November 2021 alongside 12 others as part of an extensive drug conspiracy linked to the Gangster Disciples operating in Lawrence, Haverhill, and Methuen, Massachusetts. The investigation began in August 2020 and involved intercepted communications between gang leaders, members, and drug suppliers about distributing various drugs across Massachusetts, Maine, southern New Hampshire, and into the Essex County Jail.
Authorities intercepted calls revealing that Suriel conspired with other gang members to kidnap and assault a marijuana supplier from Maine. Further intercepted communications exposed Suriel's operations involving cocaine and fentanyl distribution using gang members throughout the Merrimack Valley area of Massachusetts. It was also uncovered that Suriel offered protection to his cocaine supplier by threatening violence against anyone who interfered. A search of Suriel’s residence led to the recovery of a loaded firearm.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Boston Division; and Colonel Geoffrey Noble. Assistance came from several agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Field Division; Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; as well as police departments from Andover, Haverhill, Lawrence, Chelmsford, and Brockton. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng is prosecuting the case.
This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations through coordinated efforts across multiple agencies.
Additionally, this case is associated with Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which seeks to reduce gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies at all levels along with community involvement.