Massachusetts man pleads guilty after nearly 10,000 counterfeit pills, over 200 rounds of ammunition, other drugs seized

BOSTON – A Malden man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine disguised as Adderall, Xanax or oxycodone in and around the Malden area.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Matthew Ramos, 26, pleaded guilty on Oct. 17, 2023, to one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and other controlled substances. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf scheduled sentencing for Jan. 18, 2024. Under the terms of Ramos’ plea agreement, he faces a sentence of 90 months in prison.

Ramos was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2021 along with co-defendant Igor Desouza. A search of the defendants’ residence on May 25, 2021, resulted in the recovery of a firearm, over 200 rounds of ammunition, black tar heroin, MDMA crystals, cocaine, doses of LSD and nearly 10,000 pills that include thousands of methamphetamine pills pressed to resemble Adderall or Xanax; thousands of fentanyl pills (some mixed with xylazine) pressed to resemble oxycodone; thousands of MDMA tablets; amphetamines; and oxycodone.

Desouza pleaded guilty on Aug. 31, 2023, and is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 1, 2023.

The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and other controlled substances provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, four years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; the Malden Police Department; and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Weinstein of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.