GPS monitor led to stash house in Massachusetts, drug trafficking ring leader charged

BOSTON (WWLP) – An alleged leader of a Massachusetts south shore drug trafficking ring was convicted after drugs, guns, and cash were found inside his apartment and a stash house.

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

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

In January 2021, police seized over 40 grams of fentanyl, over $270,000 in cash, a money counter, and a loaded Glock inside Amado’s apartment. A drug factory was discovered at a Weymouth stash house and two presses used to form controlled substances into kilogram-sized bricks and extensive drug paraphernalia, including blenders, digital scales, and packaging equipment were found.

The stash house 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 21st Amado was convicted on 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
• Possessing firearms as a convicted felon (2 counts)
• Possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug offense

He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 8th. Three co-defendants were also charged in connection with the drug trafficking ring, Erica Vieira, Neylton Fontes, and Chaasad Cyprien. They all pleaded guilty and are scheduled 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 severe price for choosing to pump this poison onto the streets of Massachusetts,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Mr. Amado had drugs, cash and guns everywhere – in his apartment and his stash house. Given the unrelenting scourge of illegal drugs and overdose deaths, this office is as committed as ever to prosecuting drug-dealing criminals. This case should serve as a warning to others: if you want to engage in illicit narcotics activities, we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Aderito Patrick Amado was part of a conspiracy that brought in and sold vast amounts of fentanyl and cocaine all over southeastern Massachusetts. We’re talking 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 conviction is a win for the FBI’s Metro Boston Gang Task Force as we work with our partners to get dangerous drugs and criminals off the street. The ultimate goal here is to free our communities from the clutches of violent drug traffickers who have zero regard for the incredible damage they inflict on people’s lives.”

“I would like to thank the Detectives assigned to the Quincy Police Drug Control Unit, our local, state and federal partners and particularly the prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s office for bringing this case forward. Taking this individual off the streets undoubtedly saved lives in our community,” said Quincy Police Chief Mark Kennedy.

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