Lawrence Drug Dealer Ruben Mejia Arrested for Fentanyl Distribution

BOSTON – The grimy streets of Lawrence, Massachusetts, were hit with a heavy dose of justice today as Ruben Mejia, 28, was nabbed and charged in federal court for distributing fentanyl pills.

Mejia, a city native, has been hit with a criminal complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of at least 40 grams of the deadly substance. The alleged dealer’s arrest follows an investigation that unveiled his sinister operation: selling an estimated 500 fentanyl tablets for $4,000 on August 13, 2020. He repeated this chilling scheme again on August 26, 2020.

Today’s bust came after Mejia was caught with a stockpile of roughly 5,000 fentanyl pills, each tablet meant to be sold for a cool $8—potentially raking in $40,000. His stash was cunningly concealed in a baby diaper filled with five bags, each containing nearly 100 pills.

With Mejia’s charges, the federal government is aiming for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, not to mention supervised release of at least four years and a fine that could top $5 million. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Estes with the Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit of the United States Attorney’s Office.

Today’s announcement was made by United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Lawrence Police Chief Roy Vasque. The arrest is another blow to the drug epidemic that has plagued Lawrence and the surrounding areas.

As Mejia awaits his detention hearing scheduled for September 18, 2020, the city watches with a heavy heart, hoping this high-profile bust will serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of fentanyl on American streets.