Lowell area gang members charged with federal drug, gun trafficking offenses

BOSTON — An approximately two-and-a-half year investigation by local and federal law enforcement agencies culminated in the arrest of several Lowell residents associated with the Asian Boyz (ABZ) street gang on crimes related to an alleged drug and gun distribution network.

Authorities said ABZ’s extensive trafficking ring took off in Lowell following a void in the local criminal market left behind by a rival gang that was busted following a previous investigation.

“This operation targeted the Lowell based set of the nationally recognized ABZ street gang, which is a violent and prolific drug and firearms trafficking organization,” Lowell Police Superintendent Greg Hudon said in a press release issued by Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy’s office on Friday. “The Lowell Police department is committed to working with all our law enforcement partners to disrupt these violent drug and firearm trafficking organizations.”

Authorities said the members of ABZ profited primarily from the sale of thousands of homemade counterfeit Adderall pills that contained methamphetamine. The defendants worked together to manufacture, supply and distribute the pills.

Over the course of the investigation, which began in March 2021, authorities said the defendants allegedly distributed or possessed with the intent to distribute approximately 12,100 counterfeit Adderall pills (weighing roughly 55 pounds) containing methamphetamine, more than 900 grams of cocaine, in excess of 400 grams of fentanyl, and approximately 500 grams of para-fluorofentanyl, a fentanyl analogue.

Authorities further alleged, in addition to narcotics, the defendants sold at least 15 firearms, including five machine gun conversion devices, an AR-type rifle, and ghost guns. They also distributed firearm magazines and hundreds of rounds of ammunition over the course of the investigation.

A 45-page affidavit about the case filed in federal court by a special agent with the FBI states ABZ is among the largest Asian street gangs in the U.S., having formed in California in the early 1990s by Cambodian youth. ABZ is considered a Crips gang, with members using the color blue, and the number sequence “1226,” which is a numerical representation of ABZ.

The affidavit states ABZ allegedly expanded their trafficking network in Lowell after authorities dismantled the drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracies carried out by a local gang, One Family Clique (OFC), in 2021. OFC, and one of their subgroups, the Cambodian Mafia Family, are described as ABZ’s main rivals in Lowell.

Authorities said the three-year investigation into OFC followed a dramatic spike in shootings and gang violence in the area. Following the arrest of OFC gang members in 2021, Lowell experienced a 38% decrease in shootings compared to the prior year.

“Unfortunately, the reprieve was not long lasting, and the shootings began to rise again in 2022,” the affidavit states.

Lowell saw an 18% increase in shootings in 2022 compared to 2021, and 36% of those shootings were gang-related. According to the affidavit, drug trafficking arrests also spiked in 2022, with 47 arrests compared to 24 made the year before.

Authorities anticipate the investigation into ABZ should have a positive impact on Lowell streets.

“In peddling thousands of counterfeit prescription pills containing methamphetamine, and selling illegal firearms and machine gun conversion devices, we believe this dangerous criminal enterprise posed a direct threat to the people of Lowell,” said Christopher DiMenna, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “The positive impact made by removing these criminals from the streets of Lowell should immediately be felt.”

In addition to the alleged criminal activities committed by ABZ, the affidavit states the gang is associated with a clothing line called “Money Affiliated.” The clothing line is allegedly used to promote ABZ, while making money through the sale of merchandise.

“Identified ABZ members are known to produce and appear in rap videos that are filmed in locations throughout Lowell,” the affidavit states. “They wear Money Affiliated T-shirts and hats, as well as represent ABZ by wearing the color blue, flashing ABZ gang signs, including backdrops with ABZ flags and rapping about the gang life, their criminal activities specific to ABZ and Crips in the Lowell area, shootings, drugs and money.”

One music video on YouTube, titled “Blue Money,” has garnered more than 415,000 views since it was posted nearly four years ago.

The following is a list of those arrested and their individual charges:

• Samnang Son, 33, of Lowell: felon in possession of firearm and ammunition, engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams of more of methamphetamine, distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, distribution of and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, transfer and possession of a machine gun.

• Billy Chan, 18, of Lowell: engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, transfer and possession of a machine gun.

• Erickson Dao, 31, of Lowell: conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

• Brian Gingras, 37, of Lowell: conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

• Sary Rath, 37, of Lowell: distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

• Joseph Bagrowski, 35, of Chelmsford: two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

• Bill Phim, 35, of Acton: two counts of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

• Anel Reyes, 24, of Lawrence: distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue, distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

• Marcus Holder, 28, of Newton, N.H: two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

The nine men were charged in federal court in Boston on Friday.

Authorities said a search of the defendants’ residences following their arrest on Friday led to the discovery of multiple cellphones, approximately $1,000 in cash, roughly 1,000 counterfeit Adderall pills containing suspected methamphetamine, and 300 “Euros” pills containing suspected MDMA/ecstasy.

Authorities also said they recovered a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number, a “ghost gun” pistol frame, firearm magazines and parts, and a ballistics vest.

Involved in the investigation, along with the Lowell Police and the FBI’s Boston Division, was the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ Boston Field Division, the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office, the State Police, and police departments in Billerica, Haverhill, North Andover and Salem.

Follow Aaron Curtis on Twitter @aselahcurtis

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