The $1.2 million found in Extra Space Storage units in New Bedford is being forfeited.
In February, Vinicio DeJesus Marrero Arias, 40, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to three years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Arias could also be deported after his sentence.
Arias pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl in October 2024.
About two years earlier, he was arrested after officials searched Arias’ residence, as well as an apartment that was being used as a stash location and two storage units rented on behalf of Arias’s co-conspirator, Yohenry Contreras-Lara. Police found more than 800 grams of fentanyl and $1.2 million in cash in suspected drug proceeds.
There was $694,354 in one unit at the New Bedford Extra Space Storage location. And $600,000 in another unit.
Another $13,721.63 was seized from Contrreras-Lara at an Amtrack Station.
All of the money is now being forfeited.
Officials filed a forfeiture notice for the money on March 18.
Anyone, other than the defendants in this case, claiming interest in the forfeited property must file an ancillary petition within 60 days.
