A 22-year-old man from Lawrence, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for participating in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy in New Hampshire.
Miguel Arias Velasquez, 22, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge in May 2018 and was sentenced earlier this month. According to court documents, between January 2017 and July 2017, Arias-Velasquez made deliveries of heroin and fentanyl to customers of a drug organization working out of a residence on Water Street in Lawrence.
Arias-Velasquez and his coconspirators were arrested in July 2017 after a sting operation by law enforcement. The investigation was a joint effort between the DEA, the Massachusetts State Police, the United States Marshals Service, the New Hampshire State Police, and the Lawrence Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Donald A. Feith prosecuted the case. U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray praised the cooperative effort by law enforcement, stating that those who choose to sell heroin or fentanyl in New Hampshire will be prosecuted aggressively.
The sentencing of Arias-Velasquez comes as the state of New Hampshire grapples with an opioid crisis. DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle noted that those responsible for distributing lethal drugs like fentanyl and heroin need to be held accountable for their actions.
Arias-Velasquez is likely to be deported to the Dominican Republic after serving his sentence. His guilty plea and sentencing serve as a warning to those who seek to profit from the sale of deadly drugs in New Hampshire.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the opioid crisis and bring those responsible to justice. As the crisis continues to claim lives and devastate communities, the importance of aggressive prosecution and cooperative law enforcement efforts cannot be overstated.
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- Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Fentanyl Trafficking · Massachusetts
- Aaron E. Olson Ordered to Pay $22.8M in Ponzi Scheme Restitution · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: New Hampshire
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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