BOSTON — Two North Shore men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly participating in a conspiracy to distribute and manufacture counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl and other controlled substances.
Elmidio Crisostomo, 28, of Lynnfield, and David Depena, 30, of Lynn, each face one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, following their arrests in June.
The announcement was made today by Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division.
The Lynn and Revere Police Departments provided critical support in the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit.
If convicted, Crisostomo and Depena could face significant prison time, as well as fines and supervised release.
The charges reflect the ongoing efforts of federal and local agencies to combat the opioid crisis, particularly the spread of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid linked to numerous overdose deaths.
