United States Drug Enforcement Administration

CONCORD, N.H. – DEA New England Division Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle and United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Dean Smoronk, 58, of Farmington, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for participating in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 25, 2018, the DEA received information that Smoronk planned to have methamphetamine shipped from California to Lebanon, Maine.

On July 10, 2018, the DEA received information that the shipment of methamphetamine from California was underway. The DEA contacted the United States Postal Inspection Service for assistance. The USPIS located the package in transit to Lebanon. The USPIS further determined that the return label listed a return address in Antioch, California. The USPIS seized the package prior to delivery and transported it to New Hampshire. A New Hampshire State Police narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of narcotics in the package. A search of the package resulted in the seizure of 67.8 grams of “ice” methamphetamine.

On July 11, 2018, DEA agents observed Smoronk remain for several hours at the delivery address in Lebanon. The DEA learned that Smoronk was at the delivery address to retrieve the package and left after the package did not arrive. Over the next several days, Smoronk became concerned that law enforcement officers had intercepted the package.

Investigators determined that Laurel Bennett, who resides in California, conspired with Smoronk to send Smoronk the methamphetamine package. Between June 16, 2018, and July 10, 2018, Smoronk and Bennett exchanged text messages about the shipment approximately 27 times.

Bennett pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge and is awaiting sentencing. 

“As methamphetamine seizures by law enforcement are on the rise, DEA stands committed to keeping this highly addictive drug off the streets of New Hampshire,” said Special Agent in Charge Boyle. “This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts in the Granite State.”

“Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug that is appearing with disturbing frequency in New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “As this case demonstrates, local traffickers are working with West Coast suppliers to make it available for sale here. In order to stop this dangerous and illegal trade, we will closely coordinate with all of our law enforcement partners to identify, arrest, prosecute, and incarcerate those responsible.” 

“Today’s sentencing is the result of a coordinated effort with our state and federal partners,” said Inspector in Charge Joseph W. Cronin, of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division. “Postal Inspectors will continue to work to disrupt the flow of illegal narcotics into our region, keeping our employees, customers, and the public safe.”

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the New Hampshire State Police.

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