Two Men Arrested in Connection with Seizure of Tens of Thousands of Counterfeit Pills

BOSTON – Two Massachusetts men have been arrested and charged in connection with seizures in Somerville and Lowell of tens of thousands of counterfeit pills, approximately 30 lbs. of crystal methamphetamine, two machines used to make pills and five firearms.

Franklin Argueta, a/k/a “Frizz,” 29, of Lowell, and Luis Arias, a/k/a “Nacho,” of Somerville, were charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. The defendants were detained following initial appearances in federal court in Boston earlier today.

According to court records, in August 2025 an investigation began into Argueta and Arias for manufacturing counterfeit pills that contain methamphetamine. Between August 2025 and October 2025, it is alleged that controlled purchases of pills were conducted from Argueta and Arias at locations in Middlesex and Suffolk counties. On Jan. 14, 2026, Argueta is alleged to have taken approximately 10,000 pills out of his residence in Lowell and sold them to an undercover officer. On Feb. 10, 2026, a search was executed at Argueta’s residence in Lowell and at Arias’s residence in Somerville. It is alleged that at Argueta’s house, tens of thousands of counterfeit pills suspected to contain methamphetamine, approximately 30 lbs. of crystal methamphetamine and two firearms were located. It is further alleged that at Arias’s residence, tens of thousands of counterfeit pills suspected to contain methamphetamine and a firearm were also located. Separately, two pill press machines used to manufacture counterfeit pills and dozens of bags of filler material used in the manufacturing process were also recovered.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and up to life and a fine of $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.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by Massachusetts State Police and the Lowell and Somerville Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.  

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Boston is comprised of agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS, IRS-CI, USPIS, DOL-OIG and DSS, as well as several state and local law enforcement agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

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