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Reis de Souza, Illicit Prescription Ring, Massachusetts 2025
Four undocumented Brazilian nationals currently residing in Framingham have been arrested for their alleged roles in a conspiracy to import pharmaceutical-grade controlled substances and other misbranded drugs from Brazil and distribute them throughout the greater Framingham area.
Douglas Reis de Souza, 40, Dekny Marcos de Carvaleho Reis, 33, Dekmara de Carvalho Reis, 34, and Wandiscleia Ferreira de Souza Guimaraes, 41, all of Framingham, have been charged with one count each of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances.
The defendants were arrested yesterday morning and, following initial appearances in federal court in Boston, were detained pending a hearing scheduled for March 13, 2025.
According to the charging documents, Reis de Souza held himself out to be a legitimate pharmacist to the Portuguese-speaking community in the greater Framingham area, doing business as “Droga Reis” (Portuguese for “Drug King”).
In support of his operation, Reis de Souza allegedly distributed the following business card, which has been translated from Portuguese:
Douglas Reis, Pharmacist
[REDACTED PHONE NUMBER]
Remedies from Brazil
Service 24 H
Call me on Whats[App] and I can help you
Don’t miss your work day
Pharmacist with over 22 years of experience
Indication of medicines for adult and pediatric use
Contraceptive pills and injectables
Injectable cocktail to treat muscular and orthopedic problems
Perforation of ear cells.
Reis de Souza allegedly imported pharmaceutical-grade drugs, including controlled substances from various locations in Brazil and then re-sold them to customers.
It is alleged that at least 24 packages sent from Brazil to Reis de Souza’s drug trafficking organization were seized during the investigation which began in October 2023 – all of which were found to contain illegally imported pharmaceutical-grade controlled substances.
“For years, these defendants allegedly exploited a community’s trust to peddle black-market prescription drugs under the guide of legitimacy. They entered our country illegally and put countless individuals’ health and safety in danger, all for profit,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley.
“If you or someone you know was impacted by this scheme, we urge you to come forward and report it to law enforcement. Our office and our law enforcement partners will not allow reckless, exploitative criminals to operate in the shadows,” Leah B. Foley added.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue the mission of eradicating illegal drugs from the U.S. Mail and protecting all those who use it, said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.
The DEA is committed to ensuring that anyone prescribing and selling prescription medication is a registrant and they are in compliance with the required regulations, which are enforceable through the Controlled Substances Act, said Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division.
“Failure to do so increases the potential for diversion and jeopardizes the public health and public safety of our communities. DEA pledges to work with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to ensure these rules and regulations are followed,” Stephen Belleau stated.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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