Two Men Plead Guilty To Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
Defendants were members of a widespread North Shore drug trafficking organization alleged to have distributed tens of thousands of counterfeit pills containing deadly narcotics
BOSTON – Two men have pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to participating in a North Shore-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) that allegedly distributed tens of thousands of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Isaac Clayton, 77, and Christopher Tejeda, 22, both of Lynn, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencings for May 28, 2024 and July 9, 2024, respectively.
As part of the conspiracy, Clayton stored various controlled substances including marijuana, cocaine, cocaine base (crack cocaine) and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl at his apartment on behalf of the DTO. A search of his apartment in October 2022 resulted in seizure of various quantities of marijuana, cocaine base and fentanyl, as well as three loaded firearms, additional rounds of ammunition, $2,640 in drug proceeds and materials used to package and distribute controlled substances.
Additionally, on behalf of the DTO, Tejada picked up, transported and delivered controlled substances to various individuals as well as collected and delivered proceeds from drug sales.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; and John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Beverly, Everett, Peabody, Revere, Salem, Saugus and Swampscott Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James E. Arnold and Evan D. Panich of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
