150,000 Ecstasy Pills Sold by Suspects to Undercover Agents

BOSTON -- Arrests occurred in Leominster over the weekend following the attempted sale of 150,000 ecstasy pills to undercover officers -- the largest ever undercover ecstasy drug deal in the eastern United States. The arrests were the culmination of an investigation begun in February by the DEA's Mobile Enforcement Team ("MET") working in cooperation with the North Worcester County Drug Task Force with a focus on the distribution of various controlled substances in Leominster, Fitchburg and surrounding areas. Twelve individuals have been charged with involvement in various drug related crimes in connection with the sale and distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine and ecstasy.

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United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan and June W. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in New England, announced that arrests took place yesterday after the attempted sale of approximately 150,000 ecstasy pills and 1 kilogram of methamphetamine to undercover officers. Eight individuals have been charged in an eighteen-count Indictment; four others are charged in a criminal complaint.

"This is another great example of federal, state and local law enforcement partners sharing resources and working together to address crime and drug problems in Massachusetts communities," stated U.S. Attorney Sullivan.

"The arrests this weekend demonstrate DEA'S ability to infiltrate and dismantle international drug organizations," said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Carol L. Cooper. "DEA will pursue these traffickers across the nation and across the world. This record delivery of ecstasy tablets to undercover agents and the additional delivery of approximately a kilogram of methamphetamine is only the beginning of this investigation."

Named in the Indictment are:

1. SANAXAY KHOUNTHY, age 26, of 670 North Main Street, Leominster, MA;
2. THONGPANE CHANHSY, age 31, of 27 Hartford Street, Fitchburg, MA;
3. JASON MOUNSONBATH, age 19, of 670 North Main Street, Leominster, MA;
4. BUN Y. SREY, age 23, of 17 Third Street, Lowell, MA;
5. SOMSANIT THONGSENG, age 34, of 670 Ontario Street, Buffalo, NY;
6. CHANPHENG SOUVANNASENG, age 37, of 58 Brinkman Avenue, Buffalo, NY;
7. BOULA SISOMPENG, age 36, of 7214 Tuckaseegee Road, Charlotte, North
Carolina; and
8. VIEN XAY KOUNLABOUTH, age 35, of 365 East Street, Buffalo, NY.

Named in the Complaint are:

1. BOUNKHONG SISAVATH, age 37, of Quebec, Canada.
2. THONGKHOUNE INTHOULANGSY, age 43, of Quebec, Canada.
3. SIDA XAYSATKSITH, age 36, of Quebec, Canada.
4. DANNAVON DOUANGCHAK, age 43, of Quebec, Canada.


According to the Indictment and other documents filed with the Court, it is alleged that beginning in February 2005, KHOUNTHY supplied crack and powder cocaine to undercover law enforcement officers ("UCs") on several occasions. It is alleged that KHOUNTHY sold the drugs directly or with the assistance of others, including CHANHSY, a major distributor of crack cocaine for KHOUNTHY, and MOUNSONBATH, a runner/courier. It is also alleged that KHOUNTHY participated in the sale of methamphetamine and ecstasy to the UCs. It is alleged that SREY was a supplier of methamphetamine for KHOUNTHY.

It is also alleged that THONGSENG, a major supplier of ecstasy for KHOUNTHY, was introduced to the UCs by KHOUNTHY. Following the introduction, it is alleged that the UCs dealt directly with THONGSENG for future purchases of ecstasy. It is alleged that the UCs were eventually introduced by THONGSENG to his boss, SOUVANNASENG, and another associate, KOUNLABOUTH, who participated in a sale of ecstasy to undercover agents in Buffalo, New York. It is alleged that THONGSENG had a second source of supply for his ecstasy -- SISOMPENG in North Carolina.

The four defendants charged by complaint, SISAVATH, INTHOULANGSY, XAYSATKSITH and DOUANGCHAK, are alleged to have participated in the final sale of methamphetamine and ecstasy to the undercover agents, which led to yesterday's arrests. It is alleged that after agents negotiated the $600,000 purchase of 150,000 ecstasy pills and 1 kilogram of methamphetamine through KHOUNTHY and THONGSENG, defendants SISAVATH and INTHOULANGSY helped supply the drugs from Montreal, while XAYSATKSITH and DOUANGCHAK acted as couriers, delivering the drugs, which were hidden in two vehicles, over the Canadian border.

All of the defendants were arrested in Massachusetts on Sunday, September 25, 2005, except for three, MOUNSONBATH, THONGSENG and KOUNLABOUTH, whose arrests are still being sought. In addition to Sunday's arrests, law enforcement agents seized a Range Rover, BMW, Cadillac Escalade and a gun. The United States is also seeking the forfeiture of $66,145 in alleged illegal drug distribution proceeds.

Upon conviction, the penalty for Conspiracy to Distribute at least 50 grams of Crack Cocaine is a minimum mandatory 10 years in prison up to a maximum of life and a $4 million fine. The penalty for Conspiracy to Distribute at least 50 grams Methamphetamine is also a minimum mandatory 10 years in prison up to a maximum of life and a $4 million fine. The maximum penalty for Conspiracy to Distribute Ecstasy is 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The penalty for Distribution of at least 50 grams of Crack Cocaine is minimum mandatory 10 years in prison up to a maximum of life and a $4 million fine. The penalty for Distribution of at least 5 grams of Crack Cocaine is a minimum mandatory 5 years in prison up to 40 years and a $2 million fine. The maximum penalty for Distribution of Cocaine is 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The maximum penalty for Distribution of Methamphetamine is 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The maximum penalty for Distribution of at least 50 grams of Methamphetamine is a minimum mandatory 10 years in prison up to a maximum of life and a $4 million fine. The maximum penalty for Distribution of Ecstasy is 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

The Mobile Enforcement Team ("MET") program was created by the DEA in early 1995 to assist local law enforcement in responding to the overwhelming problem of drug-related crime that plagues neighborhoods and communities throughout the United States. The increasing sophistication of drug- trafficking organizations makes drug law enforcement more difficult than ever before. The MET program helps local law enforcement entities attack drug organizations in their neighborhoods and restores a safer environment for residents.

MET Agents assist local law enforcement officers in the following ways:

- Identifying major drug traffickers and organizations.
- Collecting, analyzing, and sharing intelligence with state and local
counterparts.
- Cultivating investigations against drug offenders and gangs.
- Arresting drug traffickers.
- Seizing the assets of drug offenders and gangs.
- Providing support to federal, state, and local prosecutors.


Local police chiefs, county sheriffs, and state and local prosecutors who feel that there is a need for MET assistance in their jurisdiction can submit a written request to the DEA Special Agent in Charge responsible for their particular area.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Mobile Enforcement Team in cooperation with the North Worcester County Drug Task Force whose members include the Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner, Clinton and Lunenberg Police Departments. Assistance was also provided by the Boston Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, the Somerville and Malden Police Departments, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the DEA in Buffalo, New York, Charlotte, North Carolina, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jacksonville, Florida and Ottawa, Canada. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa Asiaf, Andrew Lelling and Ann Taylor in Sullivan's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit.

The details in the Indictment and complaint are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.