Felix Arencibia, 40, of Amsterdam, New York, has pleaded guilty to charges related to a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Capital District. The plea was entered on February 27, 2026.
Authorities say that from November 2022 through July 2023, Arencibia received at least 5,615 grams of pure methamphetamine via the U.S. mail from Christian Mur-Santana, a supplier based in Nevada. Arencibia then distributed the drugs to others in the region. He admitted to selling quantities of methamphetamine for cash during this period.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “Large-scale drug trafficking operations like this one are a scourge on society, fueling addiction, violence, and despair in our communities. By dismantling this organization and holding its leader accountable, we are sending a clear message that those who profit from poisoning our neighborhoods will face serious federal consequences.”
Farhana Islam, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA New York Enforcement Division, stated: “Once again, we see the extreme lengths individuals will go to as they exploit our mail system to conspire, distribute, and profit from the sale of methamphetamine and fentanyl, poisons capable of single handedly devastating families across New York’s Capital Region and beyond. DEA remains steadfast in its commitment to identifying, investigating, and bringing to justice those who distribute these deadly substances.”
Nicholas Bucciarelli, acting Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), added: “This case highlights the misuse of the U.S. mail system to facilitate the distribution of dangerous drugs. The Postal Inspection Service will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of the mail and to ensure that those who attempt to exploit it for criminal gain are held accountable.”
Arencibia led an organization with eight other defendants charged as part of this investigation. Sentences have already been handed down for several co-defendants:
– Andrew Deleon received 72 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release.
– Stefanie Plass was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release.
– Ahmad Burke received a sentence of 14 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release.
– Todd Austin was sentenced to 78 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release.
Sentencing dates are pending for Kevisha Duboise (April 14), Flor Arencibia (April 16), Melissa Karwan (April 16), and Christian Mur-Santana (March 26).
Felix Arencibia faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison and could receive up to life imprisonment with at least five years post-release supervision when he is sentenced on June 25 before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and USPIS investigated these cases. Assistant United States Attorneys Ashlyn Miranda and Joshua R. Rosenthal are prosecuting.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led approach involving multiple agencies focused on disrupting high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States. More information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
