GPS monitor led drug ring leader indicted to Massachusetts hideout

BOSTON (WWLP) – An alleged leader of a drug trafficking ring on the South Shore of Massachusetts was found guilty after drugs, guns and cash were found in his apartment and a hideout.

According to the Boston Department of Justice, a 34-year-old man Aderito Patrick Amado of Brockton and Quincy helped lead a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, and cocaine. An investigation revealed that the drug distribution conspiracy operated primarily from a hideout in Weymouth, with additional evidence located inside Amado's Quincy apartment and his Jeep Cherokee.

Amado was tracked around his apartment and to a hideout every day for two months using a court-ordered GPS monitor for a state drug conviction. His web searches also revealed online reviews of various items recovered from the stash, including kilogram presses, firearms and cutting agents.

In January 2021, police seized more than 40 grams of fentanyl, more than $270,000 in cash, a money counter and a loaded Glock from Amado's apartment. A drug factory was discovered at a Weymouth hideout and two presses used to turn controlled substances into kilogram-sized bricks and numerous drug paraphernalia including mixers, digital scales and packaging equipment , have been found.

The stash also contained more than 10 kilograms of fentanyl, fentanyl analogue and cocaine as well as three firearms and ammunition, including two high-capacity magazines and a speed loader.

On June 21, Amado was convicted of the following charges:

• Possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue, and 500 grams or more of cocaine – and conspiracy to do the same (2 counts)
• Possession with intent to distribute cocaine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of fentanyl analogue
• Possession with intent to distribute cocaine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl;
• two counts of possessing firearms as a convicted felon; (2 counts)
• Possession of a firearm during a drug offense.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 8. Three co-defendants were also charged in connection with the drug trafficking network, Erica Vieira, Neylton Fontes and Chaasad Cyprien. They all pleaded guilty and are expected to be sentenced this year.

“This case is emblematic of the fentanyl crisis facing our communities. Dozens of pounds of illegal drugs, high-capacity firearms and hundreds of thousands of dollars, all in the hands of a man while he was already on probation for a state drug conviction. Mr. Amado will now pay a heavy price for choosing to spread this poison on the streets of Massachusetts,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Mr. Amado had drugs, cash and weapons everywhere – in his apartment and his hideout. Faced with the continuing scourge of illegal drugs and overdose deaths, this office is more determined than ever to pursue criminals “This case should serve as a warning to others that if you want to engage in illicit drug activities, we will find you and pursue you to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Aderito Patrick Amado was part of a conspiracy that introduced and sold large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine throughout southeastern Massachusetts. We're talking about multi-kilo quantities of dangerous drugs that he protected using illegal firearms,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Today's sentencing is a victory for the FBI's Greater Boston Gang Task Force as we work with our partners to take dangerous drugs and criminals off the streets. The ultimate goal is to free our communities from the clutches of violent drug traffickers who have no regard for the incredible damage they inflict on people’s lives.”

“I would like to thank the detectives assigned to the Quincy Police Drug Enforcement Unit, our local, state and federal partners and especially the prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for moving this case forward. Taking this individual off the street undoubtedly saved lives in our community,” said Quincy Police Chief Mark Kennedy.