Stephen Marando, Fentanyl Trafficking, New Hampshire 2017

CONCORD - A Franklin man has been charged with fentanyl trafficking and is facing prison time.

Stephen Marando, 57, pleaded guilty in federal court to fentanyl trafficking charges, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

According to court documents, Marando and another individual drove from Franklin, New Hampshire, to Lawrence, Massachusetts in order to buy fentanyl. After they obtained the fentanyl and were on their way back to Franklin, the New Hampshire State Police conducted a traffic stop on their vehicle.

During the course of the stop, the other individual attempted to discard a package containing 91 grams of fentanyl that they had picked up in Lawrence.

Marando pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 31, 2018.

‘Each day, law enforcement officers in New Hampshire are working to stop the deadly flow of fentanyl into our state,' said U.S. Attorney Murray. ‘Interrupting the transportation of drugs frequently requires that New Hampshire state troopers engage traffickers on our highways. Often they are our first line of defense. We will continue to work with State Police and all of our law enforcement partners to prevent drug dealers from further damaging our community and endangering our citizens.'

Marando is a 57-year-old man from Franklin, New Hampshire.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Hampshire State Police, and the Laconia Police Department investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane B. Kelbley is prosecuting the case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nh/pr/franklin-man-pleads-guilty-fentanyl-trafficking