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Lynn Pill Mill: Two Face Decades for Fentanyl Scheme
BOSTON – A clandestine pill-pressing operation in Lynn, Massachusetts has landed two men in federal court, both pleading guilty to charges stemming from a dangerous fentanyl distribution network. Elmidio Crisostomo, 30, of Lynnfield, and David Depena, 32, of Lynn, admitted yesterday to conspiring to manufacture and distribute counterfeit pills laced with the deadly opioid fentanyl, and other controlled substances.
The pair operated out of an apartment in Lynn, transforming it into a makeshift factory for churning out thousands of fake pills destined for streets in surrounding towns like Malden and Revere. Federal authorities say the scheme wasn’t about profit, it was about flooding the market with poison. A November 2023 federal grand jury indictment finally brought their operation to light, but not before countless pills had already hit the streets.
A June 2023 raid on the Lynn apartment revealed the full scope of the operation. Investigators seized a large, hand-crank pill press – the heart of the manufacturing process – alongside multiple kilograms of pills and powdered substances, all confirmed to contain fentanyl and other dangerous controlled substances. This wasn’t a small-time operation; this was a serious, large-scale manufacturing hub, according to sources within the DEA.
Both Crisostomo and Depena each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns has scheduled sentencing for December 10, 2025. They each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years of supervised release, and a potential fine of up to $1 million. The actual sentence will be determined based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
“This case highlights the ongoing threat posed by the manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit fentanyl pills,” stated United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division, added that these convictions send a clear message: those who profit from poisoning communities will be held accountable. The DEA worked in conjunction with the Lynn and Revere Police Departments, who provided valuable assistance throughout the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as sentencing approaches, and will provide updates as they become available. The proliferation of fentanyl remains a critical public safety issue, and this conviction, while significant, is just one battle in a much larger war.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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