Massachusetts men sentenced after nearly 10,000 counterfeit pills, over 200 rounds of ammunition, other drugs seized

BOSTON – Two Malden men have been sentenced in federal court in Boston for trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine disguised as Adderall, Xanax and oxycodone.

Nearly 10,000 counterfeit prescription pills were seized, as well as cocaine, LSD mushrooms and suboxone strips.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, 26-year-old Matthew Ramos was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper to 90 months in prison and four years of supervised release. In October 2023, Ramos pleaded guilty 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.

On Dec. 1, 2023, co-defendant Igor Desouza, 27, was sentenced by Judge Casper to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release. In August 2023, Desouza pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and other controlled substances.

A search of Ramos and Desouza’s shared residence on May 25, 2021, resulted in the recovery of a firearm, over 200 rounds of ammunition and from each of their bedrooms and kitchen and a large and diverse cache of drugs. The drugs included approximately two kilograms of methamphetamine pills pressed to look like Adderall or Xanax; approximately 150 grams of fentanyl pills (some mixed with xylazine) pressed to look like oxycodone and Percocet pills; MDMA; over 90 grams of cocaine and crack cocaine; varying amounts of oxycodone, etilozam, suboxone strips, and substances believed to be marijuana, LSD and mushrooms.

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 prosecuted the case.