Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Conspiracy

 BOSTON – A Dominican national previously residing in Lawrence pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to fentanyl conspiracy charges.

Enmanuel Brioso Fabal, 31, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more fentanyl, one count of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of distribution of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Aug. 4, 2021. Brioso Fabal and two co-defendants were charged by criminal complaint and arrested in November 2019. They were subsequently indicted in January 2020, along with a fourth co-defendant.

According to court documents, investigators conducted two controlled purchases of fentanyl from Brioso Fabal, who was working with a co-defendant: approximately 500 fentanyl pills on Aug. 5, 2019, and approximately 56 grams of suspected fentanyl powder on Sept. 26, 2019. On Nov. 2, 2019, a search was executed at a stash house in Lawrence associated with the drug organization where various drug distribution paraphernalia, including a mixing bowl containing suspected fentanyl, sifters and blenders were recovered.

The charges of distribution and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million.  The charge of distribution of fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Graber of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.