CONCORD, NH – Antonio Aguasvivas, 30, of Rhode Island, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 51 months for his central role in a large-scale drug trafficking operation that flooded New Hampshire with fentanyl and crack cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott handed down the sentence yesterday, along with a three-year term of supervised release.
Aguasvivas pleaded guilty in February 2025 to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. He was initially charged on April 26, 2023, alongside 20 other individuals. As of today, ten have been sentenced, but the investigation continues to unravel a network of dealers and suppliers.
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of trafficking drugs in our communities and underscores our commitment to holding those at every level of the supply chain accountable,” stated U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. “Every role within these criminal networks is critical to their operation, and all involved will be held responsible for their contribution to the drug trade in the Granite State.”
Federal investigators revealed Aguasvivas wasn’t just a middleman; he led the operation. The Massachusetts-based organization used a sophisticated “dispatch” system – a dedicated phone line where customers placed orders for narcotics. Aguasvivas, acting as the dispatcher, connected buyers with runners who completed the sales. Between October 6, 2022, and March 7, 2023, agents documented ten separate transactions conducted by Aguasvivas and his crew in Manchester, NH. Evidence showed Aguasvivas routinely drove from Rhode Island daily to deliver massive quantities of drugs to his network.
“Antonio Aguasvivas led a major drug trafficking organization in our region that pumped large quantities of deadly narcotics into our communities, profiting off the addiction of others,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “Now Mr. Aguasvivas will spend the next four years behind bars where he can’t harm anyone else.” Law enforcement seized 120 grams of fentanyl and 70 grams of crack cocaine during the investigation, recovered from runners’ vehicles and during sales orchestrated by Aguasvivas.
The DEA is also emphasizing the urgency of tackling the opioid crisis. “New Hampshire is in the midst of a devastating opioid crisis, as deaths from fentanyl soar,” said Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget. “The DEA will continue to use every resource available to identify those… distributing dangerous drugs.” The investigation was a joint effort led by the FBI and DEA, with crucial assistance from the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kennedy is prosecuting the case. This operation is part of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide initiative targeting cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
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- NY Man Gets 24 Months for Multi-State Bank Fraud Scheme · New Hampshire
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Key Facts
- State: New Hampshire
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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