Amsterdam man pleads guilty to federal drug charges

An Amsterdam man has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking.

Samuel Payano, 24, admitted in federal court on Friday that from May 2022 to December 2022, he conspired with Bernardo Tovar to distribute counterfeit Oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, as well as cocaine and meth.

He also admitted to distributing fentanyl pills and a firearm to another person on Oct. 12. Payano and Tovar also had fentanyl pills, cocaine and meth as well as firearms on Dec. 7, 2022, when their apartment was searched, investigators said.

Payano faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison when sentenced on Sept. 6.

Tovar previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to over 15 years in prison.