Brockton man sentenced to prison after gun, two kilos of fentanyl, almost two kilos of cocaine seized

Boston – A 19-year-old man from Brockton received a federal prison sentence today in Boston for holding large quantities of drugs meant for sale, along with a gun modified with a device to enable automatic fire.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, Zairi Andrade, also known as “Z-Money,” was handed an eight-year term behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy. Andrade admitted guilt in June 2025 to one charge of possessing fentanyl, a fentanyl variant, and cocaine with intent to distribute, plus one charge of owning a firearm to support drug dealing.

The case stemmed from a probe into a Brockton-based drug network, during which authorities searched Andrade’s home—one of four targeted sites—on December 3, 2024. Investigators identified his bedroom as a storage spot for the group, uncovering more than two kilograms of fentanyl and almost two kilograms of cocaine. They also seized a 9mm Glock 17 pistol fitted with what appeared to be an auto-conversion mechanism, a laser attachment, and an extended magazine, as well as a 50-round drum magazine, another extended clip, various ammunition, and tools for blending and bagging drugs.

In a related development, Joshua Tavares entered a guilty plea in May 2025 to three counts involving distribution and possession of fentanyl and its analogue, with sentencing slated for October 28, 2025.

The announcement came today from United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. Key support was offered by the Massachusetts State Police and Brockton Police Department. The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Cutshall from the Organized Crime & Gang Unit.