Methuen Man Sentenced for Fentanyl Trafficking

BOSTON – A Methuen man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his involvement in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy.

Nino De Leon Guzman, a/k/a “Chino,” 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to four years in prison and three years of supervised release. On Aug. 3, 2022, Guzman pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, two counts of distribution of fentanyl, one count of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. 

From October 2020 through in or about June 2021, undercover agents purchased fentanyl from De Leon Guzman and his associated drug trafficking organization on nine separate occasions in the Lawrence and Methuen areas. At the time of his arrest on June 23, 2021, De Leon Guzman was found in possession of fentanyl packaged for distribution and the cell phone for fentanyl deals. A subsequent search of De Leon Guzman’s residence in Methuen resulted in the recovery of a kilogram brick of fentanyl, a blender containing multiple bags of fentanyl, a drug ledger, clothing he had worn in prior drug transactions and a sock in a nightstand containing $2,500 cash in drug proceeds.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Weinstein of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.