BOSTON (WWLP) - A man from Rhode Island will spend 10 years in prison for his role in trafficking fentanyl across the country including in Massachusetts. In a news release from the Department of Justice in Boston, an investigation began in September 2019 into a drug trafficking organization (DTO) based in Providence, Rhode Island led by Jasdrual Perez. It was alleged that Perez manufactured large quantities of fentanyl pills designed to appear like pharmaceutical-grade oxycodone/Percocet pills and distribute them and other controlled substances throughout the United States. Two men arrested in Holyoke face drug charges after search warrant on Newton Street A member of the organization, 36-year-old Erik Ventura maintained one of the drug stash locations. He would transport cash and drugs to and from New York and distribute thousands of fentanyl pills to customers of the organization in Massachusetts. It was also discovered that Ventura distributed fentanyl and cocaine to his customers, including one who survived an overdose at a stash house where Ventura lived. Ventura and Perez were arrested and charged in February 2022 for their involvement in the manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl pills that spanned across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Texas, and North and South Carolina. In February 2022, investigators seized two industrial-grade pill presses, approximately 20 kilograms of powdered fentanyl, pressed fentanyl pills, and other items, including kilograms of pill binder used in the large-scale manufacturing of clandestinely pressed fentanyl pills, were seized. Ventura pleaded guilty to a superseding indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Perez pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 16.  Local News Headlines A look at the average Massachusetts snow and rain in December College-bound Springfield students march to celebrate academic success Second Chance saved over 55,000 pets in 2024 Springfield teachers honor Sandy Hook victims with remembrance ceremony on Memorial Bridge 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.