BOSTON (WWLP) – A Saugus man was sentenced to prison in federal court on Monday for firearm and drug offenses, including thousands of pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Charging documents stated that 38-year-old Aaron Lenardis was indicted in February 2023 alongside co-conspirator Charles Bates of Reading. Investigators had looked into Bates starting in August 2022 after he reportedly ordered 50 kilograms of an orange binding agent that is commonly used to make counterfeit Adderall pills.
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Bates was observed picking the binding agent up at a UPS store in Boston and bringing it to Lenardis’ residence in Saugus. In September and October of 2022, Bates reportedly exchanged texts with associates and drug customers regarding “made to order” pills.
Bates said in the messages that he was physically present at the location where the pills were made, “watching the guy work so no corners have been cut.” Bates reportedly said that the pill press was used for 20 hours at a time, producing 5,000 pills per hour…