Three people from Methuen, Lawrence and Puerto Rico recently pleaded guilty to their roles in a conspiracy to distribute 15 kilograms of cocaine.
Linette Davila, 42, of Methuen, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, involving 500 grams or more of cocaine, and distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Feb. 26.
Luis Pena Arias, 28, of Lawrence, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, involving five kilograms or more of cocaine and distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine. Pena Arias also pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of fentanyl, involving 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Jan. 10.
Rony Valencia Lopez, 31, of Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Dec. 10.
All three were indicted by a federal grand jury last January.
In September 2023, Valencia Lopez flew to Boston to conclude drug sales and later joined Pena Arias to meet with undercover police at an Andover hotel.