New York Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Possession and Distribution Charges

BOSTON - A New York man has pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl in Woburn. 

Ruben Davila Cardenas, 45, pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Court Senior Judge Mark L. Wolf scheduled sentencing for Dec. 20, 2023.

In October 2021, Cardenas distributed approximately three kilograms of fentanyl and approximately 500 grams of fentanyl analogue.

The charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl 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 up to $1 million. 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; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England; John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Colonel Mark B. Hall, Director of the New Hampshire State Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.