BOSTON – Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with a multifaceted criminal conspiracy involving the trafficking of counterfeit pills containing narcotics and other counterfeit items.
Christopher Chase, 43, of Lynn, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute or possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, with more than 500 grams of methamphetamine attributable to him as part of the conspiracy; one count of trafficking in counterfeit drugs; and one count of possession with intent to distribute counterfeit postage stamps. Following an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester on May 2, 2024, Chase was detained pending a hearing scheduled for May 8, 2024.
Francis Wyatt, 42, of Lawrence, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute a die set. A die set is a metal tool that, in conjunction with a pill press, is used to manufacture counterfeit pills. Wyatt was detained following an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester on May 3, 2024 pending a hearing scheduled for May 8, 2024.
According to court documents, Chase was previously convicted in federal court in New Hampshire in connection with conspiracy to distribute steroids and money laundering. It is alleged that Chase and his co-conspirators used a pill press to manufacture counterfeit pills, including counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine, and counterfeit Xanax pills containing clonazolam. Additionally, Chase or others acting at his direction allegedly purchased over 100 kilograms of pill binding agent (used as the inactive ingredient in counterfeit pressed pills) between 2020 and 2022. It is alleged that, in communications with a co-conspirator, Chase likened himself to drug kingpin “El Chapo.”
According to court documents, at Chase’s behest, Wyatt was sent to retrieve a package from China containing a die set to be used in manufacturing counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.
It is further alleged that Chase also was a significant distributor of counterfeit stamps over public websites such as eBay. In February 2024, counterfeit U.S. postage stamps were recovered during a search of Chase’s residence. Chase acquired the counterfeit stamps from China. Preliminary estimates indicate that the stamps are valued at approximately $250,000.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute the quantity of methamphetamine alleged in the indictment provides for a mandatory minimum term of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of trafficking counterfeit drugs provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $2 million. The charge of possession of a die set provides for a sentence of up to four years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute counterfeit stamps provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case,
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, New England Field Office; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Middlesex District Attorney and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
