Felix Arencibia, a 40-year-old resident of Amsterdam, New York, pleaded guilty on February 27, 2026, to charges related to conspiracy and the distribution of methamphetamine. Authorities say Arencibia was responsible for distributing and possessing with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of pure methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Capital District.
According to prosecutors, between November 2022 and July 2023, Arencibia received at least 5,615 grams of pure methamphetamine through the United States mail from his supplier Christian Mur-Santana in Nevada. He then distributed these drugs to other individuals in the region. On April 4, 2023, Arencibia sold 55.6 grams of methamphetamine for cash.
First Assistant U.S. 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 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 involved in this investigation. Sentences have already been handed down for several co-defendants: Andrew Deleon received a sentence of six years; Stefanie Plass was sentenced to two years; Ahmad Burke received just over one year; Todd Austin was sentenced to six-and-a-half years—all followed by three years’ supervised release. Other defendants including Kevisha Duboise (sentencing scheduled for April 14), Flor Arencibia (April 16), Melissa Karwan (April 16), and Christian Mur-Santana (March 26) are awaiting sentencing.
At his sentencing scheduled for June 25 before U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci, Felix Arencibia faces a mandatory minimum prison term of ten years with a maximum possible life sentence as well as at least five years up to life on supervised release after imprisonment.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) conducted this investigation with prosecution handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Ashlyn Miranda and Joshua R. Rosenthal.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation which targets major criminal organizations using coordinated efforts among multiple agencies led by prosecutors nationwide. More information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
