United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with selling two kilograms of cocaine and possessing nearly one kilogram of heroin and a high-powered rifle in East Boston.

Carlos Acosta Estrella, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and one count of possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Dec. 12, 2022. Estrella was indicted along with his mother, Ana Guadalupe Acosta Grajeda, in October 2019.

Estrella and Grajeda were arrested after they were videotaped selling two kilograms of cocaine to a cooperating witness in East Boston. A search of Estrella and Grajeda’s apartment in East Boston resulted in the seizure of nearly one kilogram of heroin, an additional kilogram of cocaine, numerous cellphones, a high-powered tactical shotgun with a laser sight and a box of ammunition for the shotgun.

On June 30, 2022, Grajeda was sentenced to five years in prison after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

“Opioids continue to take far too many lives and cause irreversible damage and harm in communities across our country every single day,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “This destructive duo of mother and son conspired to profit off of pain by pumping multiple kilograms of heroin and cocaine into our neighborhoods. On top of that, Mr. Estrella did so in possession of a dangerous high-powered weapon. This office remains steadfast in our pursuit of those peddling lethal narcotics in our Commonwealth. You will be found and prosecuted.”

“Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels in New England,” said Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division. “Illegal drug distribution ravages the very foundations of our families and communities here in Massachusetts.  Let these arrests serve as an example to those who distribute poisons like heroin and cocaine, that DEA will aggressively pursue and hold you accountable. This investigation demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.”

“The Boston Police Department will continue to collaborate with our federal law enforcement partners to target those individuals causing harm to the residents of our city,” said Police Commissioner Michael A. Cox. “These arrests demonstrate the commitment of Boston Police Officers and our law enforcement partners to save lives by stopping the flow of narcotics and illegal firearms into our neighborhoods. I commend their efforts and commit to continue to holding offenders accountable for preying on individuals with substance disorders.”

The charge of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams of heroin provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The charge of possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, to be served from and after the sentence imposed on the underlying drug counts, a maximum sentence of life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences in a criminal case are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

U.S. Attorney Rollins, DEA SAC Boyle and BPD Commissioner Cox made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.