Leader of New Bedford Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Prison

BOSTON – The leader of a drug trafficking organization that sold hundreds of grams of deadly fentanyl onto the streets of New Bedford and surrounding communities was sentenced today in federal court in Boston.

Hilario Yogey Mota-Bernabel, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 90 months in prison and four years of supervised release. In May 2021, Hilario Mota-Bernabel pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and six counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

In January 2018, agents began an investigation into co-defendant Steven Marshall, a large-scale fentanyl dealer on Cape Cod. On March 1, 2018, police followed Marshall as he conducted a suspected drug transaction in New Bedford. As Marshall drove back toward Cape Cod, he was stopped by investigators and found in possession of approximately 125 grams of fentanyl that Hilario Mota-Bernabel had distributed to him.

Four controlled purchases were made of approximately 100 grams of fentanyl each, from Hilario Mota-Bernabel in March and April 2018. For one of the controlled purchases, Hilario Mota-Bernabel’s brother and co-defendant, Miki Michael Mota-Bernabel, served as the courier, delivering over 100 grams of fentanyl to an undercover agent. Hilario Mota-Bernabel personally delivered the fentanyl on another occasion. 

The Mota-Bernabels were arrested in May 2018. A search of their residence and stash house resulted in the seizure of over 200 grams of fentanyl and various drug distribution paraphernalia as well as approximately $12,395 in drug proceeds. In total, Hilario Mota-Bernabel is responsible for possessing and/or distributing over 750 grams of fentanyl and deploying at least two runners to conduct his drug trafficking business.

In September 2020, Miki Mota-Bernabel was sentenced to 30 months in prison and four years of supervised release after pleading guilty. Marshall was arrested in June 2018 and has since pleaded guilty. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 5, 2022.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Barnstable Police Chief Matthew Sonnabend made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren A. Graber of Rollins’ Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.