Dominican National Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for Unlawful Re-Entry and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Cocaine

BOSTON - A Dominican national residing in Methuen, Mass. has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for unlawfully re-entering the United States after deportation and possessing narcotics intended for distribution.

Raul Fernando Lora, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun to 66 months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In March 2025, Lora pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of unlawful reentry of deported alien. Lora was charged in November 2023.

Lora was previously removed from the United States on July 2, 2013 and June 5, 2018. Before his first removal, Lora was convicted of aggravated identity theft for fraudulently using the identity of a Puerto Rican citizen. Additionally, Lora has prior convictions for possession with intent to distribute heroin, firearms offenses and assault and battery - all of which were under the name of the identity Lora had stolen.

In 2023, immigration authorities became aware of Lora's presence in the United States after being notified that his fingerprints were taken in connection with criminal charges in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Lora had default warrants outstanding for both cases.

Lora was arrested on Oct. 3, 2023, at which time he was found in possession of a sock that contained over 200 grams of fentanyl and over 30 grams of cocaine in multiple plastic bags.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Sullivan of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.