WASHINGTON, D.C. - A man has been sentenced to 20 years following an HSI investigation into a commercial pill press operation. The man and his co-conspirator used a pill press from China and set up shop in his basement, obtaining enough fentanyl powder to make 2 million pills containing a lethal dose.
On Friday, March 6, a federal judge sentenced 37-year-old Nicholas Adams to 20 years in prison for his role in a clandestine pill press operation run out of his basement in Spokane, Washington, according to an ICE press release.
The sentence followed an HSI Seattle, DEA, Spokane Police Department, and RAVEN Task Force investigation. Adams and his co-conspirator obtained a Chinese pill press and set up an operation in his basement.
"Adams and his co-conspirator obtained a Chinese pill press and set up an operation in his basement," said ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. "The two men mixed powdered fentanyl and cutting agents to make their own pills for bulk distribution. And as if that weren't enough, they also possessed large quantities of meth, heroin, cocaine, MDMA, and marijuana."
"The DEA discovered multiple loaded firearms in their residences, including a fully automatic machine gun, and three sets of body armor."
Adams, a chronic offender whose criminal history includes controlled substance abuse, was initially released from custody after being arrested for this offense to attend inpatient drug treatment. However, he continued to use drugs and was returned to custody.
Adams sentence includes 10 years of court supervision upon his release, a press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ) said. According to calculations from the DEA, the amount of fentanyl powder Adams and his co-conspirator, Timothy Maddox, had was enough to kill the entire population of Spokane County almost four times over.
Since 2012, Adams has repeatedly been involved in the criminal justice system. He has repeatedly perpetrated acts of violence against others and then disregarded court orders attempting to keep his victims safe from him, the DOJ said.
"This 20-year sentence advances DEA’s unwavering commitment to a Fentanyl Free America,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “By possessing massive amounts of fentanyl powder and operating a commercial pill press capable of producing more than two million potentially lethal fentanyl pills, the defendant was directly placing lives in Spokane County at risk.
"I am very pleased with news of the successful investigation, prosecution, and conviction of the people in this case.” Said Sheriff Nowels.
“Those convicted clearly presented a danger to our entire region as they made the decision to flood our community with Fentanyl and other lethal drugs. This case highlights the importance of unwavering relationships and cooperation between local law enforcement and all our federal partners to bring justice and safety to Spokane and surrounding communities."
On Friday, March 6, a federal judge sentenced 37-year-old Nicholas Adams to 20 years in prison for his role in a clandestine pill press operation run out of his basement in Spokane, Washington, according to an ICE press release.
The sentence followed an HSI Seattle, DEA, Spokane Police Department, and RAVEN Task Force investigation. Adams and his co-conspirator obtained a Chinese pill press and set up an operation in his basement.
"Adams and his co-conspirator obtained a Chinese pill press and set up an operation in his basement," said ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. "The two men mixed powdered fentanyl and cutting agents to make their own pills for bulk distribution. And as if that weren't enough, they also possessed large quantities of meth, heroin, cocaine, MDMA, and marijuana."
"The DEA discovered multiple loaded firearms in their residences, including a fully automatic machine gun, and three sets of body armor."
Adams, a chronic offender whose criminal history includes controlled substance abuse, was initially released from custody after being arrested for this offense to attend inpatient drug treatment. However, he continued to use drugs and was returned to custody.
Adams sentence includes 10 years of court supervision upon his release, a press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ) said. According to calculations from the DEA, the amount of fentanyl powder Adams and his co-conspirator, Timothy Maddox, had was enough to kill the entire population of Spokane County almost four times over.
Since 2012, Adams has repeatedly been involved in the criminal justice system. He has repeatedly perpetrated acts of violence against others and then disregarded court orders attempting to keep his victims safe from him, the DOJ said.
"This 20-year sentence advances DEA’s unwavering commitment to a Fentanyl Free America,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “By possessing massive amounts of fentanyl powder and operating a commercial pill press capable of producing more than two million potentially lethal fentanyl pills, the defendant was directly placing lives in Spokane County at risk.
"I am very pleased with news of the successful investigation, prosecution, and conviction of the people in this case.” Said Sheriff Nowels.
“Those convicted clearly presented a danger to our entire region as they made the decision to flood our community with Fentanyl and other lethal drugs. This case highlights the importance of unwavering relationships and cooperation between local law enforcement and all our federal partners to bring justice and safety to Spokane and surrounding communities."
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments