A Lawrence man pleaded guilty on Mar. 16 in federal court in Boston to drug charges related to a drug manufacturing operation.
Joshua Morales, 31, admitted guilt to one count of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for June 12. Morales was charged in August 2025.
According to charging documents, law enforcement observed Morales entering a residence in Methuen and leaving with a large orange bag. Investigators believed the residence was used for drug distribution and manufacturing. After surveillance, Morales drove to Lawrence where he was apprehended. Authorities searched his vehicle and found 10,000 counterfeit Percocet pills suspected of containing fentanyl.
A search of the Methuen residence uncovered an automated pill press and several kilograms of counterfeit Adderall and Percocet pills believed to contain fentanyl and methamphetamine. Police also recovered equipment used for pill manufacturing such as cutting agents, blenders, scales, bowls, bags filled with suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine powders, and binding agents.
The charge carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release, and a fine up to $1 million. Sentences are determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Methuen Police Chief Scott J. McNamara announced the plea agreement. The Essex County District Attorney’s Office, Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Peabody Police Department, Lawrence Police Department, and Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office provided assistance in the investigation.
The case was investigated by the Boston Homeland Security Task Force as part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative led by the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations.