Two more people who were part of a major Elmira-area opioid manufacturing and distribution ring have been sentenced to federal prison time.

Chief U.S. District Judge Frank Geraci Jr. this week sentenced Jesus Rivera, 26, of Elmira, to nine years in prison for his conviction on conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 10 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue.

In addition, Geraci sentenced Scott K. Fairbanks, 29, of Randolph, New York, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue, to serve 7½ years in federal prison.

Rivera and Fairbanks were mid-level distributors in a large-scale opioid manufacturing and trafficking organization in the Southern Tier of New York and northern Pennsylvania between 2015 and May 2017, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Harvey, who prosecuted the case.

At least two individuals — a 21-year-old female, and a 25-year-old male — died after ingesting the blue pills containing furanyl fentanyl and U-47700.

One other individual overdosed on more than one occasion after using the blue pills manufactured and distributed by the organization, but survived after being treated by first responders with Narcan, Harvey said.

To date, 16 members and associates of the opioid manufacturing and trafficking operation have been convicted of federal narcotics offenses, and 13 of those defendants have been sentenced.

That includes ringleaders Robert Ian Thatcher and Maximillian Sams, who imported bulk quantities of furanyl fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl and U-47700 from suppliers in China.

Related: Elmira man who ran illegal fentantyl trafficking pleads guilty to federal drug charge

Thatcher and Sams ordered the drugs on what is known as “the dark web,” and used different people and addresses in New York and Pennsylvania to receive the shipments.

Thatcher was sentenced to 23 years in federal prison for his role in the ring, and Sams got 17½ years in prison.

Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation that cracked the opioid ring, including the Elmira Police Department, Chemung County Sheriff’s Office, New York and Pennsylvania state police, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, among others.

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