A Dominican national living in Dorchester has pleaded guilty to federal drug charges related to a large-scale fentanyl trafficking operation. Anderson Ernesto Andujar Echavarria, 28, admitted his role in distributing tens of thousands of fentanyl pills and other narcotics during a hearing in Boston federal court.
Andujar Echavarria pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, three counts of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl, one count of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl and methamphetamine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for April 6, 2026.
The defendant was arrested in September 2024 along with co-conspirators Waner Bernabel Presinal, Carlos Fabal, and Freddy Artemio Guerrero Soto. Authorities began investigating Andujar in November 2023 after identifying him as a major distributor involved in selling various narcotics including press fentanyl tablets, powdered fentanyl, cocaine, and crystal methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement officers.
During the arrests, law enforcement seized approximately 30,000 blue pressed fentanyl pills and about 500 grams of powdered fentanyl from Andujar and Guerrero Soto.
Investigators determined that Bernabel worked alongside Andujar distributing the drugs while Fabal supplied the fentanyl pills. Fabal had previously been convicted on federal cocaine distribution charges in Boston in 2007.
All three co-defendants have also pleaded guilty. Fabal and Bernabel are set for sentencing in March 2026 after pleading guilty earlier this year. Guerrero Soto received a sentence of 30 months in prison following his guilty plea earlier this year.
The charges carry significant penalties under federal law. Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl is punishable by ten years up to life imprisonment as well as supervised release terms ranging from five years up to life and fines up to $10 million. Other related distribution charges can result in sentences from five years up to forty years’ imprisonment plus fines up to $5 million.
“United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.”