Taunton man pleads guilty to role in fentanyl trafficking ring

TAUNTON, Mass. (WLNE) — The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced that a Taunton man pleaded guilty for his involvement in trafficking fentanyl through southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

According to court documents, 45-year-old Michael Pacheco pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Officials said their investigation identified Pacheco as a regular customer of the trafficking operation who re-distributed fentanyl to his own customer base in southeastern Massachusetts.

Intercepted communications confirmed Pacheco was ordering fentanyl from the operation and was soon after observed meeting with couriers in the operation.

Massachusetts State Police also arrested nine other suspects in connection to the operation that Pacheco was buying from.

Last year, law enforcement seized over 500 grams suspected fentanyl during the drug bust at a stash house in Fall River.

Investigators also said that drugs were transported in cereal boxes while accompanied by a child, at least once.

Pacheco faces a possible sentence from 10 years to life in prison with lifetime supervised release and a fine of up to $10M.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 1 along with the nine other suspects.