A member of a national drug trafficking network was sentenced today in federal court in Boston. During the investigation, authorities seized over 160 pounds of pure methamphetamine, an AK-47, a Glock without a serial number, two loaded Smith & Wesson handguns, and more than 4,200 rounds of ammunition. We also busted an illegal marijuana grow enterprise with hundreds of marijuana plants.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton sentenced 39-year-old Robyn Costa of Brockton, Mass., to 102 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Costa pleaded guilty in November 2022 to three counts in a superseding indictment charging her with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. The superseding indictment also charged ten more defendants with controlled narcotics, weapon, and money laundering violations.
In October 2020, investigators learned about the drug trafficking activities of a large-scale methamphetamine supplier in the Boston area. In late 2020, investigators discovered Reshat Alkayisi to be a large-scale methamphetamine trafficker who supplied multi-pound volumes to several co-conspirators throughout New England. Investigators identified Costa as one of Alkayisi’s methamphetamine dealers. In April 2021, Alkayisi gave Costa around five pounds (2.1 kg) of pure methamphetamine. Following the rendezvous, investigators detained Costa and recovered the methamphetamine and a loaded Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistol from his vehicle.
Costa is the second defendant to receive a sentence. All other offenders have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentence.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, and Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, delivered the announcements. The Massachusetts Department of Correction, the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office, and the Concord, Hudson, Peabody, Reading, Watertown, and Waltham Police Departments also offered assistance. The Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine State Police also provided assistance. Assistant United States Attorneys Alathea Porter and Katherine Ferguson from the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force’s activity.
