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 Dennis Chaney, 31, of Rochester, was sentenced to 63 months in prison for participating in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.

According to court documents and statements made in court, as a result of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation, agents and task force officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration learned that on March 12, 2018, Chaney intended to travel from New Hampshire to a location in Lawrence, Mass., to purchase drugs. Agents conducted surveillance in the area of the transaction and observed Chaney’s vehicle arrive. They then followed the vehicle toward New Hampshire and provided information about the investigation to the New Hampshire State Police. A trooper observed the vehicle and stopped the vehicle for traffic violations. The trooper used his drug detection dog, which alerted to Chaney’s vehicle. A search warrant subsequently was executed on the vehicle, which resulted in the discovery of approximately 225 grams of fentanyl. 

On March 14, 2018, Chaney telephoned his source in Lawrence, Mass., and ordered more drugs. Agents conducted surveillance in the area of the transaction and observed Chaney’s vehicle arrive. They then followed the vehicle toward New Hampshire and again shared this information with the New Hampshire State Police. A trooper observed the vehicle and stopped the vehicle for traffic violations. After a drug detection dog alerted to the vehicle, a search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 98 grams of fentanyl. During the investigation, Chaney ordered and purchased approximately 845 grams of fentanyl. Chaney previously pleaded guilty on Oct. 10, 2018.

“Fentanyl is causing great damage to our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Boyle. “The DEA will continue to use every resource available to identify those, like Mr. Chaney, who are contributing to the crisis. Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Chaney accountable for his crimes, but serves as a warning to those traffickers who are fueling the opioid epidemic.”

“This case once again highlights the interstate transportation route traffickers have used to import the deadly drug fentanyl into New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “In order to stop this illegal practice, law enforcement will continue to be aggressive in our efforts to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate those who are distributing this lethal substance. Those who choose to sell fentanyl in the Granite State should understand that they are very likely to find themselves in federal prison.”

The case was a collaborative investigation that involved the DEA, New Hampshire State Police, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Nashua Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, Essex County District Attorney’s Office, Internal Revenue Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, United States Customs and Border Protection Boston Field Office, United States Marshals Service, United States Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Manchester Police Department, Lisbon Police Department, Littleton Police Department, Seabrook Police Department, Haverhill (Mass.) Police Department, Methuen (Mass.) Police Department, Lowell (Mass.) Police Department and the Maine State Police.

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