United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BOSTON – A Dominican national, unlawfully residing in Lowell, Massachusetts was convicted by a federal jury in Boston on June 12, 2026 of conspiring to distribute narcotics, possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

Juan Riquerbin Garcia Rivera, 44, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of acetyl fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and cocaine; possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of acetyl fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and cocaine; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun scheduled sentencing for Nov. 10, 2026. In June 2024, Garica was indicted by a federal grand jury along with co-conspirator and nephew Christian Raphael Paredes, who previously pleaded guilty.

Garcia conspired with Paredes to distribute $5,000 worth of fentanyl to an undercover officer over three separate occasions. During a search of his home, over 19,000 fentanyl pills, two kilos of methamphetamine, cocaine and acetyl fentanyl were recovered. Located next to the drugs was pressing and mixing equipment. Evidence at trial showed that Garcia would have the drugs shipped to him in girls backpacks as a way to hide the drugs from detection.  

Also recovered during the search were four handguns, two of which were loaded, and hundreds of bullets matching those guns. Three of the guns were found next to the drugs and pressing equipment, and the fourth gun was loaded in a dresser drawer under thousands of dollars in cash. Investigators also seized over $30,000 in cash from Garcia’s bedroom. Evidence at trial showed Garcia threatening to use those guns on a drug dealer over a dispute about drug quality. 

Garcia, who was previously deported in 2007, was communicating with a Mexican drug supplier to obtain narcotics. On Garcia’s phone were dozens of pictures of drugs, a video of a drug delivery, and pictures of Garcia packaging and pressing the drugs. 

In May 2026, Paredes pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sep. 8, 2026.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of acetyl fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and cocaine provides for a sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of acetyl fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and cocaine provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison, to be served consecutively to the other crimes, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes that govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. 

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John O. Wray, Charles Dell’Anno and Lauren Graber of the Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit and Annapurna Balakrishna of the Asset Forfeiture Unit prosecuted the case.