New Hampshire Trafficker Guilty Of Fentanyl, Meth, Firearms Charges
MAY 12 - CONCORD, N.H. - Michael J. Ferguson Special Agent-in-Charge of the DEA’s New England Division, and Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Bryan Franklin, 41, formerly of Penacook, New Hampshire, pled guilty to possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents and statements in the court proceedings, on September 24, 2016, the Tilton, New Hampshire Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Franklin that was found to contain multiple needles, cut plastic baggies, and other items associated with drug use. A subsequent search of another vehicle owned by Franklin resulted in the seizure of a lock box that contained approximately $15,958 cash, approximately 750 grams of fentanyl, assorted prescription pills, a quantity of methamphetamine, a thumb drive, and two digital scales. Additionally, a backpack in the vehicle contained a tin box that contained an additional quantity of fentanyl, a drug ledger, and a loaded semi-automatic handgun that had been reported to law enforcement as stolen.
Franklin is scheduled to be sentenced on August 23, 2017. Franklin faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years on the drug trafficking charge and a mandatory minimum five year sentence for the firearms charges, which must be served consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed for the drug charge.
“Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels in New Hampshire,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “Fentanyl is causing overdose deaths across the Granite State in record numbers, and DEA is committed to aggressively pursuing anyone who distributes this poison in order to profit and destroy people’s lives. This investigation demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.”
“The aggressive investigation and prosecution of individuals engaged in fentanyl trafficking in New Hampshire remains a top priority of the United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners at the local, state and federal level,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “As New Hampshire continues to face an unprecedented number of overdose deaths directly caused by opioid use, we will continue to work tirelessly to prosecute those who are responsible for distributing these dangerous drugs in our state. Most drug deaths in New Hampshire are associated with fentanyl use. The quick-thinking law enforcement officers who seized this large quantity of fentanyl and prevented it from being distributed may have saved several lives.”
This case was investigated by the DEA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Tilton Police Department.
