CONCORD – Israel Perez, 52, of Manchester, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for participating in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy in a seven-defendant narcotics case, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2018 Perez conspired with other persons to distribute fentanyl as part of a drug trafficking organization.  Investigators made controlled purchases of approximately 330 grams of fentanyl from Perez in Manchester between January and May of 2018.

            Perez previously pleaded guilty on August 22, 2019.     

            Co-defendants Lucas Rios, Abelino Morales-Padilla, Jose Hiram Martinez Rolon, Karina Reyes, Samuel Ramos, and Billy Damuel Maldonado Cancel previously pleaded guilty to fentanyl trafficking charges in the same case.  Cancel was sentenced to 33 months and Samuel Ramos was sentenced to 22 months.

            “Fentanyl traffickers have caused substantial damage to families and communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to protect the health and safety of our citizens, we work closely with federal, state and local law enforcement to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate fentanyl dealers. The substantial prison term imposed in this case should serve as a warning to all involved in this deadly trade.”

            “Drug dealers like Perez may think they can hide from justice, but today’s sentence proves otherwise,” said Jason J. Molina, Acting Special Agent in Charge for HSI Boston. “HSI and our law enforcement partners will continue to investigate and dismantle organizations like this one that distribute deadly drugs with no regard for human life.”

            This matter was investigated by the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the New Hampshire State Police, and the Manchester Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Davis.

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            CONCORD – Israel Perez, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy in a seven-defendant narcotics case, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, between May and September, 2018, Perez conspired with other persons to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl as part of a drug trafficking organization.  Investigators made controlled purchases of approximately 250 grams of fentanyl from Perez in Manchester between January and May of 2018.

            Perez is scheduled to be sentenced on December 6, 2019.     

            Co-defendants Samuel Ramos, Abelino Morales-Padilla, Billy Damuel Maldonado Cancel, Jose Hiram Martinez Rolon, and Karina Reyes previously pleaded guilty to fentanyl trafficking charges in the same case.                     .

            “Fentanyl traffickers make a lethal substance available for purchase in Manchester and other communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “The results have been devastating. In order to stop the flow of fentanyl, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, arrest, and prosecute traffickers.”

              “Today’s conviction is a positive step in the ongoing battle that we continue fight against the devastation that opioids have on our communities.” said Jason J. Molina Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, Boston. “HSI and our state and local partners with support from the U.S. Attorney’s office remain strongly committed to the fight against dealers of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs that have harmed communities throughout New Hampshire.”

            This matter was investigated by the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the New Hampshire State Police, and the Manchester Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Davis.    

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            CONCORD – Karina Reyes, 29, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in federal court to distributing fentanyl as part of a seven-defendant narcotics case, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, Reyes resided with a drug trafficker in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and sometimes provided translation services for him during telephone conversations about trafficking in fentanyl, including making arrangements for specific drug transactions in New Hampshire.

            Reyes is scheduled to be sentenced on November 22, 2019    

            Co-defendants Billy Damuel Maldonado Cancel, Jose Hiram Martinez Rolon, Samuel Ramos, and Abelino Morales-Padilla previously pleaded guilty to fentanyl trafficking charges in the same case.                     .

            “Those who participate in the trafficking of fentanyl will be arrested and prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “It is vital to the health and safety of the public that we disrupt the distribution of this lethal substance. Law enforcement at all levels is united in the effort to stop traffickers.” 

            This matter was investigated by the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the New Hampshire State Police, and the Manchester Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Davis.    

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          CONCORD – Jose Hiram Martinez Rolon, 27, of Manchester, and Billy Damuel Maldonado Cancel, 26, also of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to drug trafficking charges in a 7-defendant narcotics case, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, between May and September, 2018, Maldonado conspired with other persons to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl as part of the Lucas Rios Drug Trafficking Organization.  Investigators made controlled buys of fentanyl from Maldonado in Manchester on May 14, 2018, June 13, 2018, July 26, 2018, and September 19, 2018, totaling approximately 100 grams. 

          In a separate hearing, Martinez Rolon pleaded guilty to distribution of more than 40 grams of fentanyl.  The evidence showed that on November 8, 2018, after an undercover officer arranged a fentanyl deal by telephone with Lucas Rios, Martinez Rolon delivered the drugs to the officer in Manchester and received a payment of $1200 cash.  The quantity of fentanyl was approximately 100 grams.

          Both defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on November 14, 2019.     

         Co-defendants Samuel Ramos and Abelino Morales-Padilla previously pleaded guilty to fentanyl trafficking charges in the same case.  

          “The illegal distribution of fentanyl endangers the health and safety of our citizens” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Even a small amount of this drug can be lethal.  In order to stop this deadly trade, we will continue to work with all of our law enforcement partners to arrest and prosecute those responsible”. 

          This matter was investigated by the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the New Hampshire State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Davis. 

 

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            CONCORD - Abelino Morales-Padilla, 38, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2018, Morales-Padilla conspired with other persons to distribute more than 400 grams fentanyl.  On October 16, 2018, a confidential informant informed police that Abelino Morales-Padilla would be coming from Massachusetts to New Hampshire with a large quantity of fentanyl.  Police officers identified the car and stopped Morales-Padilla for traffic violations in Londonderry.  Law enforcement officers later located approximately 424 grams of fentanyl inside the vehicle.

            Morales-Padilla is scheduled to be sentenced on November 12, 2019.

            “Those who choose to bring fentanyl or other deadly drugs into New Hampshire will be prosecuted aggressively,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Interstate drug traffickers endanger the health and safety of our citizens. In order to deal with this threat, we work closely with our law enforcement partners each day to identify and prosecute those who transport drugs into our state.”

            “Fentanyl has destroyed communities across the country, leaving despair and anguish in its wake. Morales-Padilla looked to make a quick profit by choosing to push fentanyl onto our New Hampshire streets,” said Jason J. Molina, Acting Special Agent in Charge for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston. “Every dealer we help remove from the streets is a victory in the battle against the opioid and fentanyl plague that has devastated so many lives in the region.”   

            This matter was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the New Hampshire State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Davis.     

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