New Bedford man sentenced to prison after fentanyl, historic $1.2 million in cash in suspected drug proceeds, seized

BOSTON – A New Bedford man was sentenced in federal court in Boston for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, 40-year-old Vinicio DeJesus Marrero Arias was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to three years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Arias will also be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. In October 2024, Arias pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Following an investigation into fentanyl trafficking in and around the Lord Phillips Apartments in New Bedford that concluded in October of 2022, Arias was identified as fentanyl distributors in the area. A search of Arias’ residence, as well as an apartment that was being used as a stash location and two storage units rented on behalf of Arias’s co-conspirator, Yohenry Contreras-Lara, resulted in the recovery of more than several hundred grams of fentanyl and $1.2 million in cash in suspected drug proceeds.

Contreras-Lara pleaded guilty in November 2024 and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 3, 2025.

The lead investigator in this case, was Det. Lavar Gilbert. “Det. Gilbert has a tireless commitment to his work in the narcotics unit. This historic seizure and takedown of an illicit fentanyl distribution organization is the latest example. We are proud of his work and the positive effect this case will have on the community.” – OCIB Commander, Lt. Justin Kagan.

“A seizure of this magnitude can only be achieved through meticulous investigative skills and commitment, which Detective Gilbert continually demonstrates. New Bedford police officers are relentless in their pursuit of individuals who poison the community for profit.”-Chief Paul Oliveira

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Bradley Parker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office and the New Bedford Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.