BOSTON — A 36-year-old Saugus man was indicted in connection with a drug conspiracy involving tens of thousands of counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine and fentanyl. He was remanded to the custody of U.S. Marshals by a judge in federal court Tuesday.
Aaron Lenardis, 36, of Saugus and Charles Bates, 31, of Reading were indicted by a grand jury Monday on one count each of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl after their October 2022 arrest, U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael Rollins’ office said in a statement. Lenardis was indicted on an additional count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
At an appearance in federal court Tuesday, Bates was released on conditions while Lenardis remained in custody.
An investigation into Bates began in August 2022 after he allegedly ordered 50 kilograms of an orange binding agent commonly used to make counterfeit Adderall pills and was allegedly later seen picking up the agent at a UPS store, the statement said. He allegedly exchanged text messages with potential drug buyers and associates where he described pressing pills that are “made to order,” and watching the pills being made to ensure “no corners were cut.”
Bates also allegedly drafted receipts for counterfeit pills that he kept on his phone or sent to others. In total, Bates allegedly made and distributed at least 136,000 counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine, equivalent to approximately 40 kilograms of such pills, the statement said.
After the pill press broke, Bates allegedly traveled to Pawtucket, R.I. to secure a replacement and was later observed allegedly transporting it to Lenardis’ residence on Essex Street in Saugus.
During a search of Lenadis’ residence on Oct. 25, 2022, investigators allegedly found an industrial pill press, 14 firearms, including a Glock outfitted to operate as a machine gun, at least 1.85 kilograms of pills and powder containing methamphetamine, at least 87.6 grams of pills and powder containing fentanyl, and “M30” stamps commonly used to manufacture counterfeit pills, the statement said.
Lenardis and Bates would face lengthy prison sentences if convicted.
The charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine each provide for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison. The charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl each provide for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison. The charge of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
