Venezuelan national admits to selling thousands of counterfeit fentanyl pills in Massachusetts

BOSTON – A Venezuelan national pleaded today in federal court in Boston to trafficking fentanyl.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, 42-year-old Frank Bienvenido Perez Diaz pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled sentencing for Nov. 15, 2023.

On April 16, 2021, Perez Diaz sold over 2,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills to a cooperating witness.

The charge of distribution and/or possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least five years in prison and no greater than 40 years in prison, as well as at least four years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5,000,000. Perez Diaz will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistance in the investigation was provided by the Massachusetts Department of Correction and the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.