Fentanyl trafficker sentenced to 17 years in prison | Merrimack Valley

CONCORD, N.H. — A fentanyl trafficker who sold the deadly drug to customers in Lawrence and did business under multiple names has been sentenced to 17 years behind bars.

Court documents and statements made in court showed that Juan Garcia participated in a conspiracy to sell fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. After the FBI learned he was distributing drugs in Nashua and elsewhere, the agency began investigating his activities, according to U.S. Attorney Scott Murray.

During the investigation, Garcia and his associates sold fentanyl in Lawrence to people who were cooperating with law enforcement officers, Murray said. He also did business as Alejandro Villar Dume and Alberto German Gomez, according to Murray.

Garcia, who previously lived in Roxbury, pleaded guilty June 18 of last year to participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Paul Barbadoro imposed the 17-year prison sentence Jan. 24.

Barbadoro also found that Garcia had obstructed justice by claiming that he was Juan Garcia from Puerto Rico. Information presented at the sentencing hearing showed he was actually from the Dominican Republic, Murray said.

Garcia has several previous convictions for violent crimes, according to prosecutors.

“Those who illegally trade in fentanyl and other dangerous drugs endanger our citizens and undermine the quality of life in our state,” Murray said.  “When violent criminals are involved in drug trafficking, the risk to public safety is amplified. Violent criminals who sell drugs in New Hampshire should expect to be arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to long prison terms.” 

“Mr. Garcia will now finally pay the price for peddling deadly drugs that can have unpredictable effects on unsuspecting users,” said Joseph Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston division. “The FBI New Hampshire Safe Streets Gang Task Force will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and disrupt violent criminals like Mr. Garcia who are engaged in drug trafficking activities that endanger the safety of the citizens in our state.”

The case against Garcia was investigated by the FBI New Hampshire Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which comprises the FBI, New Hampshire State Police, New Hampshire Probation and Parole and the police departments of Hudson, Manchester and Nashua.

Assistance was provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force. The case was prosecuted by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane Kelbley and First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Farley.