A man nicknamed “Heartless” pleaded guilty in connection with delivering thousands of “Adderall” pills but were actually a dangerous compound of methamphetamine and caffeine.
Marcus Holder, also known as “Heartless,” 30, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Holder was one of three different sources Bill Phim, also known as “Bonez,” 37, of Lowell, got the “Adderall” pills from, according to court documents. All three sources and Phim were members of the Asian Boyz gang.
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Counterfeit pills
Between February 2022 and April 2022, Erickson Dao, also known as “Silent,” 32, of Lowell, delivered the counterfeit pills to Phim at least five times.
The pills were similar in shape, size and appearance to genuine Adderall, officials said. And these types of pills are common.
“I believe that counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine are now more prevalent on the street than the pharmaceutical-grade drugs they imitate,” officials said in court documents.
And the people dealing these drugs are taking advantage of the Adderall shortage and common usage among college students, including UMass Lowell, court documents state.
Phim sold the pills to an undercover federal agent for more than $11,000. This continued 12 times in 2022. In total, Phim sold the undercover agent over 10,000 pills for more than $36,000.
Chemical testing confirmed that the pills were a dangerous compound of methamphetamine and caffeine. When investigators searched Dao’s residence, they discovered thousands more counterfeit “Adderall” pills and large quantities of cocaine.
Phim also told the undercover officer that he coordinated the supply of methamphetamine pills with other Asian Boyz gang members and associates, including Brian Gingras, also known as “Cheech.”
Between May 2022 and September 2022, Gingras met Phim prior to the planned deals to personally deliver the pills.
After officials searched Gingras’ house and storage unit on Sept. 9, 2022, Phim had to move on to a new supplier — Holder.
The undercover agent ordered the pills two more times from Phim. Holder arrived to both deals to supply Phim in a black Mercedes registered in his name.
The deals were similar, 1,000 “Adderalls” for $3,500, court documents state. The pills sold to the undercover agent were round, marked “AD” and “30”, and delivered by Phim in clear Ziplock bags.
Laboratory testing confirmed methamphetamine in both batches. Officials also found Holder’s fingerprints on the bags.
Holder has no previous criminal record, court documents state. But officials have tracked him to being part of the gang since 2017.
Sentencing for Holder is scheduled for Dec. 11.
Who are the Asian Boyz gang?
In 2021, 15 members and associates of a Lowell-based gang, One Family Clique (“OFC”), were charged and arrested. The Asian Boyz gang, which rivaled the OFC, used this as an opportunity to expand.
The Asian Boyz is one of the nation’s largest Asian street gangs and was formed in California in the early 1990’s as part of a rivalry with Hispanic gangs.
But over time, they expanded across the country.
“Much of the violence in Lowell can be attributed to gangs and drug trafficking,” court documents read.
Immediately following the OFC related arrests in 2021, Lowell saw a 38% decrease in shootings compared to the same time period the previous year, according to court documents.
“Unfortunately, that reprieve was not long lasting, and shootings began to rise again in 2022,” court documents state.
There was then an 18% increase in both fatal and nonfatal shootings in 2022 compared to 2021. Of those shootings, 36% were gang involved shootings.
Drug related offenses also increased.
Asian Boyz members are known to produce and appear in rap videos that are filmed in locations throughout Lowell.
In the videos, members wear the brand “Money Affiliated,” the color blue and flash gang signs. They often rap about the gang life, their criminal activities specific to the gang in the Lowell area, shootings, drugs and money.
Some of the videos have nearly half a million views.
“Homie said he tryna catch a body for the first time, I’m like let’s go. Police ever ask me questions asking if I ever snitch I say hell no,” one of the members raps.
Multiple other Asian Boyz members have already pleaded guilty and been sentenced to multiple years in prison. In May, Phim was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
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