BOSTON — On Thursday, June 25, 2026, a Lowell man pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to distributing fentanyl and crack cocaine during several drug transactions in Lowell last year.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, Gino Hem, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and three counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl.
U.S. District Court Judge Richard Stearns scheduled Hem’s sentencing for Sept. 30, 2026.
According to federal prosecutors, Hem met with cooperating witnesses and an undercover officer in Lowell on four separate occasions between July 14, 2025, and Oct. 3, 2025, to sell them crack cocaine and fentanyl. Prosecutors said Hem filled orders from the cooperating witnesses and undercover officer for “fingers” of “brown,” referring to fentanyl, and “hard,” referring to cocaine base.
On Oct. 22, 2025, the undercover officer ordered two ounces of “hard” from Hem, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts reported. Hem was taken into custody after arriving at the agreed-upon drug deal location. During a search of his person, investigators found more than two ounces, or approximately 53 grams, of cocaine base hidden inside Hem’s underwear.
Hem was arrested and charged in October 2025 and has remained in federal custody since.
The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base carries a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston Division, announced the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak III of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
