New Bedford Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Heroin Intended for Distribution

New Bedford Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Heroin Intended for Distribution
FILE PHOTO: The U.S. Department of Justice Building is pictured

BOSTON – A New Bedford man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston in connection with heroin distribution.

Ramon Serrano, 43, pleaded guilty on Sept. 12, 2022 to possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Jan. 11, 2023. Serrano was charged in July 2019.

During a search of Serrano’s residence in Feb. 20, 2019, approximately $27,000, digital scales, cellular telephones and a money counter were recovered. Additionally, over 544 grams of fentanyl and heroin as well as over 206 grams of cocaine – divided into separate plastic bags for distribution – were also found at Serrano’s residence.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute over 100 grams of heroin provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Estes of Rollins’ Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.