BOSTON (WWLP) - A man from Reading was sentenced to prison on Wednesday in connection with a drug conspiracy involving tens of thousands of counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine and fentanyl. Chicopee police warn of new Eventbrite scheme In 2022 law enforcement began an investigation into 31-year-old Charles Bates after he allegedly ordered 50 kilograms of an orange binding agent commonly used to make counterfeit Adderall pills. The Department of Justice reports that detectives observed Bates picking up the package at a UPS store in Boston. During the surveillance, Bates traveled to Rhode Island to replace a broken pill press. Detectives observed Bates take a large, heavy item that appeared to be a pill press to a codefendant's house in Saugus, Aaron Lenardis. Cell phone records obtained by law enforcement show Bates exchanging text messages with drug customers and associates. The messages included pills were “made to order,” described being physically present at the place where the pills were made, and “watching the guy work so no corners have been cut,” the Department of Justice said. Recipes for counterfeit pills were found on Bates' phone or sent to others. The drug conspiracy involved at least 136,000 counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine, equivalent to approximately 40 kilograms of pills. During a search inside the home of Lenardis police seized the following: Industrial pill press 14 firearms including a Glock outfitted to operate as a machinegun At least 1.85 kilograms of pills and powder containing methamphetamine At least 87.6 grams of pills and powder containing fentanyl “M30” stamps commonly used to manufacture counterfeit pills Bates pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Lenardis was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl; and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 12, 2025. Local News Headlines Deadline: REAL ID enforcement goes into effect in six months Coffee & Conversation event connects veterans in Chicopee Police seized 16 kilograms of fentanyl, Lawrence woman sentenced Final environmental study released on replacing aging F-15 aircraft at Barnes ANGB in Westfield WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.