Lengthy federal prison sentences in separate conspiracies to sell fentanyl in NH | Crime

Bristol man pleads guilty to giving fatal fentanyl dose | News

Lengthy federal prison sentences in separate conspiracies to sell fentanyl in NH | Crime

CONCORD — A Manchester man and a Northfield woman have been sentenced to years in federal prison after pleading guilty to separate conspiracies to sell fentanyl in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray announced Tuesday.

Albert Gordon, 45, who pleaded guilty Aug. 29, received 30 months and Alicia Morin, 31, who pleaded guilty Aug. 27, received 37 months.

Last winter, police investigators learned two individuals would be traveling March 7 and 9 from the Granite State to buy fentanyl.

On March 7, federal agents witnessed an exchange between a known drug trafficker and Gordon, according to prosecutors. They followed the vehicle into New Hampshire where it was stopped by state police, they said.

Inside the vehicle, police found an orange bag containing 184 grams of fentanyl.

On March 9, federal agents followed a different car drive into Massachusetts and witnessed a similar exchange for drugs. When that vehicle was stopped, 31 grams of fentanyl were found, including some in the bra of Morin, a front-seat passenger identified as the individual involved in the earlier transaction.

Investigators later learned Morin had ordered fentanyl from drug distributors in Massachusetts on several occasions between last Feb. 23 and April 5.

The arrests were the result of an ongoing joint investigation by federal, state and local law enforcement.

“The transportation of fentanyl into New Hampshire has exposed our citizens to tragic consequences” said U.S. Atty. Murray said. “In order to stop the flow of this deadly drug and protect the public, we will continue to identify, arrest and prosecute those who bring fentanyl into the Granite State. Traffickers should be aware that they face substantial prison terms if they continue with their illegal trade.”

New Hampshire is in the midst of a devastating opioid crisis and fentanyl deaths are rising, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.

“The DEA will continue to use every resource available to identify those, like Ms. Morin, who are contributing to the crisis,” said Boyle. “Today’s sentence not only holds Ms. Morin accountable for her crimes but serves as a warning to those traffickers who are fueling the opioid epidemic.”

klandrigan@unionleader.com

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