Fentanyl trafficker pleads guilty in HSI, state probe
NEW HAMPSHIRE – A New Hampshire resident, Israel Perez, pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy in a seven-defendant narcotics case led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Boston and New Hampshire State Police. The guilty plea was by announced Aug. 22 by HSI Boston Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina and United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire Scott W. Murray.
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 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.
“Today’s conviction is a positive step in the ongoing battle that we continue to fight against the devastating impact that opioids have had on our communities,” said Molina. “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.”
“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.”
The case was investigated by HSI, the New Hampshire State Police, and the Manchester Police Department; the case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire.
Drug abuse affects communities across the nation, and opioid abuse continues to be particularly devastating. The CDC reports that from 1999 to 2016, more than 630,000 people have died from drug overdoses. In 2016, 66% of drug overdose deaths involved an opioid. Drug overdose is now the leading cause of injury or death in the United States.
If you or someone you know suffers from addiction, please call the Lines for Life substance abuse helpline at 1-800-923-4357 or visit linesforlife.org. Phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also text “RecoveryNow” to 839863 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. Pacific Time daily.
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