Aris Arvelo Gonzalez, Counterfeit Pill Trafficking, Massachusetts 2025

Massachusetts Man Arrested for Counterfeit Pill Trafficking

Aris Arvelo Gonzalez, a 37-year-old Lawrence man, was arrested today in connection with an investigation targeting a drug manufacturing ring in Massachusetts. The Lawrence man was charged with one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute and manufacture controlled substances.

According to the charging documents, Gonzalez and La Culebra controlled a large drug manufacturing location inside an apartment in Methuen. During a search of the Methuen apartment in August 2025, over 18 kilograms of controlled substances and a pill press were allegedly recovered. Gonzalez’s alleged co-conspirators, Joshua Morales, Manuel Santana-Soto, and Jose Vasquez Lantigua, were subsequently arrested and charged following the search.

While on pretrial release following a January 2025 arrest for drug offenses in Salem District Court in New Hampshire, Gonzalez allegedly sold over 1,500 grams of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl to a confidential informant and an undercover agent on four occasions between July 2025 and November 2025.

At the time of Gonzalez’s arrest this morning, he was allegedly found in possession of thousands of counterfeit pills bundled into smaller bags as well as a large quantity of cash. Following his arrest, search warrants were executed at three locations in Lawrence that were allegedly tied to Gonzalez and the “La Culebra” drug trafficking organization.

During those searches, various items and materials used in the manufacturing of counterfeit Percocet containing fentanyl were allegedly recovered – including a pill press and a 25-kilogram bag of pill binding agent. The charge of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute or manufacture provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.

Aris Arvelo Gonzalez is being detained pending a hearing scheduled for November 25, 2025. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley, Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England, and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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