A Lowell man associated with the Asian Boyz street gang has entered a guilty plea to charges of drug trafficking conspiracy. Erickson Dao, who goes by the nickname "Silent," admitted to being a part of a methamphetamine and cocaine distribution operation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.
During court proceedings yesterday, 32-year-old Dao pled guilty to charges involving the conspiracy to distribute and to possess intent to distribute methamphetamine in quantities of 50 grams or more, and for possessing intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton is set to determine Dao's sentence on May 13. Under federal guidelines, Dao faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison, with the potential for up to lifetime of supervised release, and faces fines that could reach up to $5 million.
According to details released by the Justice Department, from February through April 2022, Dao supplied counterfeit pills mimicking the pharmaceutical Adderall to fellow gang member Bill Phim. Phim then sold these pills, which were comprised not of their presumed active ingredient, but rather a mix of methamphetamine and caffeine, to undercover agents for a sum total exceeding $11,000. When authorities searched Dao's residence they uncovered hundreds more of these counterfeit pills along with significant amounts of cocaine.
Phim, on his part, has pleaded not guilty and is currently awaiting trial. The broader case involves collaborative efforts by several law enforcement agencies. In a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office, U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Boston Division, and officials from the Lowell Police Department are to credit for the announcement. The case is also highlighted as part of both the Project Safe Neighborhoods and an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation, geared to dismantle substantial criminal networks.
The charges and subsequent plea shed light on the complexities of drug trafficking networks and the federal government's ongoing commitment to quell such illicit operations.
