Douglas Morris, Fentanyl Trafficking, Massachusetts 2023

BOSTON — A Maine man was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for his role in a fentanyl trafficking operation that spanned across northern New England.

Douglas Morris, 33, of Bangor, Maine, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani in connection with a fentanyl trafficking operation. In August 2023, Morris pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of p-Fluorofentanyl, a fentanyl analogue.

According to court documents, in June 2021, Morris picked up nearly two kilograms of p-Fluorofentanyl – a dangerous fentanyl analogue – intended for distribution in Maine, allegedly from co-defendant Ivan Rodriguez Osorio in a hotel parking lot in Amesbury, Mass. Morris’ vehicle was subsequently stopped by law enforcement and the narcotics were seized.

The fentanyl analogue was packaged in 161 10-gram cylinders commonly called “fingers.” These fingers are a common form of drug packaging for resale to other distributors. Morris had allegedly made three prior drug purchases from Rodriguez Osorio, buying approximately 500 grams of fentanyl each time.

Less than two weeks later, in July 2021, Morris picked up nearly two kilograms of fentanyl, allegedly from Rodriguez Osorio, in the same hotel parking lot in Amesbury, Mass. Morris’ vehicle was again stopped by law enforcement and the narcotics were seized.

Morris has multiple prior convictions for drug trafficking offenses. In July 2009 Morris was arrested federally and charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. While on federal pretrial release, he was again arrested and charged by state authorities with trafficking oxycodone. Morris was eventually convicted of both offenses and sentenced to 88 months in prison in the federal case and two years (served concurrently) in the state case.

Morris is the second defendant to be sentenced in the case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement.