Massachusetts man sentenced to prison for role in drug conspiracy after 2.5 kilograms of fentanyl/analog, gun, ammo, cash seized

BOSTON – A Methuen man was sentenced for drug conspiracy charges involving distribution of fentanyl, fentanyl analog and cocaine. 

According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, 28-year-old Daniel Lopez-Gonzalez was sentenced by Chief District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 135 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. In March 2024, Lopez-Gonzalez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, involving 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of fentanyl analog. Lopez-Gonzalez was indicted in April 2023 along with Erickson Castro Perez and Gustavo Adolfo Reyes Gonzalez. 

Between June 2022 and January 2023, Lopez-Gonzalez and his co-conspirators Castro Perez and Reyes Gonzalez sold fentanyl and fentanyl analog to undercover law enforcement on six separate occasions in Haverhill and Boxford. On January 23, 2023, a search of a Haverhill-based stash location used by the three men resulted in the seizure of additional quantities of fentanyl, fentanyl analog, cocaine and other narcotics. Additionally, an illegal firearm, ammunition, more than $35,000 in U.S. currency and two high-end watches were also seized from Lopez-Gonzalez’s home. 

In total, approximately 2.5 kilograms of fentanyl or fentanyl analog was seized over the course of the investigation. 

Castro Perez was sentenced in May 2024, to 51 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Reyes Gonzalez was sentenced in Sept 2024 to 21 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.