Four Charged with Fentanyl and Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy

BOSTON – Four individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their alleged roles in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed fentanyl and cocaine in and around the Quincy and Weymouth areas. 

The following individuals were charged in a nine-count second superseding indictment with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl and fentanyl analogue: Aderito Patrick Amado, 33, of Brockton; Erica Vieira, 26, of Brockton; Neylton Fontes, 35, of New Bedford; and Chaasad Cyprien, 23, of Oxford.

The defendants were initially indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2022 and subsequently charged in a first superseding indictment in December 2022. 

According to the charging documents, Amado, Vieira, Fontes and Cyprien participated in a conspiracy to distribute certain quantities of fentanyl, fentanyl analogue and cocaine in and around Quincy and Weymouth until at least January 2021. All face charges of possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl, cocaine, or fentanyl analogue. Amado is also charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug crime. Due to a previous felony conviction, Amado is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue, or conspiracy to do the same, provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl or 500 grams or more of cocaine, or conspiracy to do the same, provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine or fentanyl, or conspiracy to do the same, provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Each charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug offense provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison, to be served from and after the term of imprisonment imposed for any other count, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Weymouth and Quincy Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin R. O’Donnell of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case. 

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.