Malden Men Caught With 10K Phony Pills: Feds

MALDEN, MA — Two Malden men were indicted on drug trafficking charges after being found with 10,000 counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine and fentanyl, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Authorities searched the home of Igor Desouza, 25, and Matthew Ramos, 24, in May and seized a gun, more than 200 rounds of ammunition, black tar heroin, MDMA crystals, doses of LSD and nearly 10,000 counterfeit pills, according to charging documents.

The pills included thousands of methamphetamine pills pressed to resemble Adderall or Xanax and fentanyl pills pressed to resemble oxycodone, the U.S. Attorney said. They also had thousands of genuine MDMA tablets, amphetamines and oxycodone, according to federal authorities.

The pair were indicted Wednesday on charges of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and other controlled substances. Desouza is set to appear in federal court on Friday.

Both charges carry a potential life sentence.