Lawrence Man Sentenced for Role in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston on conspiracy and distribution charges involving large quantities of fentanyl.

Ysrael Nunez, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On Jan. 13, 2022, Nunez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and aiding and abetting.

In October 2018, agents began investigating a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed fentanyl in the Lawrence area. Between October 2018 and July 2019, a cooperating witness made controlled purchases of fentanyl from the DTO and on July 24, 2019, Nunez sold the cooperating witness approximately 23 grams of fentanyl. During that meeting, they discussed the DTO supplying the cooperating witness with a kilogram of fentanyl. The following day, the cooperating witness made arrangements with Nunez to purchase a kilogram of fentanyl which was delivered by Nunez’s co-conspirator to the cooperating witness and an undercover agent.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.