United States Drug Enforcement Administration

CONCORD – Juan Veras-Marcano, 29, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute more than 170 grams of fentanyl, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the defendant sold over 170 grams of fentanyl over the course of eight controlled purchases to a confidential source and an undercover agent.  In addition, he was attempting to sell another 20 grams of fentanyl to an undercover agent at the time of his arrest.  The defendant made the sales in the parking lots outside various retail stores in Salem, New Hampshire.  The defendant took measures to avoid law enforcement detection before selling the drugs by secreting baggies of fentanyl in his mouth and working with a conspirator who conducted counter surveillance techniques.  In a subsequent search of the defendant’s phone, law enforcement viewed photos of large stacks of cash, and the defendant’s texts reveal that he sent large amounts of money to the Dominican Republic during the time he was dealing drugs. 

“This case demonstrates the law enforcement efforts expended to stop deadly narcotics like fentanyl from flooding our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Young.  “Despite the defendant’s covert attempts to avoid law enforcement detection, through the use of confidential sources and undercover agents, law enforcement was able to apprehend the defendant in the act of dealing fentanyl.  Bringing the defendant to justice was the result of a collaboration among state law enforcement in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, working in partnership with the DEA and our office.”

This matter was investigated by the Salem Police Narcotics Unit in conjunction with the Massachusetts State Police Attorney General’s Task Force, with the assistance of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande.