Lynnfield, Lynn Men Guilty in Fentanyl Counterfeit Pill Ring

Boston – In a grim turn of events, Elmidio Crisostomo, 30, and David Depena, 32, both of Lynnfield and Lynn respectively, have pleaded guilty in federal court for their roles in a sinister conspiracy that involved the production and distribution of counterfeit fentanyl pills. The court heard how these men used an apartment in Lynn as a clandestine laboratory to churn out thousands of deadly tablets, destined for unsuspecting customers across Massachusetts.

According to prosecutors, Crisostomo and Depena were indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2023 for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Their illegal enterprise was brought to an end when the feds swooped in on their Lynn apartment in June 2023, seizing a significant cache of pills laced with fentanyl and other potent drugs.

The operation, which spanned towns including Malden and Revere, posed a major threat to public safety. The recovered hand-crank-style press used for manufacturing the pills was just one piece of the evidence that painted a picture of a deliberate effort to flood the streets with deadly substances.

U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns has set December 10, 2025, as the sentencing date for these two men. The charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances carries severe penalties, including up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and at least three years of supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is leading the prosecution against Crisostomo and Depena. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, announced the charges today. The investigation was a collaborative effort that also involved the Lynn Police Department and the Revere Police Department.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the illicit drug trade and the unwavering commitment of law enforcement to crack down on such operations. As the community grapples with the fentanyl crisis, it is imperative that those responsible for such heinous acts are held accountable for their actions.

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