United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today for federal drug and firearm charges arising out of a large-scale seizure of fentanyl and other contraband.  Edgar Belis, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 19 years in prison and five years of supervised release. In April 2018, Belis pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

In 2015, law enforcement agents identified Belis as a large-scale heroin trafficker in the Boston area. At the time, Belis had been convicted of heroin-related offenses on at least four prior occasions in Massachusetts state court. 

In 2016, using a cooperating witness, law enforcement arranged calls with Belis seeking to purchase heroin. During those calls, Belis stated that he had kilogram quantities of heroin to sell, but suggested that the heroin must contain fentanyl or customers on the street would notice a difference. Belis stated that he would be willing to sell heroin or fentanyl for $40,000 per kilogram. 

On May 3, 2016, a cooperating witness called Belis and placed an order for two kilograms of fentanyl. The purchase was set up for three days later. On May 6, 2016, Belis drove from Hopkinton to Boston, where law enforcement observed Belis picking up a backpack from a basement apartment. Belis then travelled to a location in South Boston to complete the sale of the two kilograms of fentanyl, where he was intercepted by law enforcement agents. Belis ignored several orders to exit the vehicle and locked himself in the car. Agents were forced to break the car windows to arrest Belis. A search of the backpack in the car resulted in the seizure of approximately 2.35 kilograms of fentanyl and approximately 250 grams of cocaine. 

Later that day, agents executed a search warrant at the apartment associated with Belis, and seized an approximately 300 grams of fentanyl, approximately 125 grams of cocaine, $57,500 in cash, a Glock Model 22 .40 caliber pistol, and 31 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition.

Brian D. Boyle Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New England Division; United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement today.