Manchester man sentenced to 57 months for drug trafficking

CONCORD, N.H. – DEA New England Division Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle and United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today that Eddil Ortez, 27, of Manchester, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for attempted possession of fentanyl and cocaine with intent to distribute. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning around December of 2017, a drug organization in Lawrence, Massachusetts maintained a series of telephone numbers to receive orders and distribute controlled substances, primarily fentanyl and crack cocaine.  In early 2019, law enforcement officers began conducting judicially-authorized interception of communications occurring over a phone number used by the organization. 

On June 19, 2019, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at locations known to be used by the organization, arrested the person believed to have been operating the phone, and seized the phone.  To further identify and arrest those who were distributing drugs, the officers, pretending to be members of the drug organization, used the seized phone to communicate with individuals who were obtaining drugs from the organization. 

During the evening of June 20, 2019, messages were exchanged between the seized phone and a phone belonging to Ortez.  Ortez attempted to order quantities of crack cocaine and fentanyl from the organization.  Ortez was directed to a parking lot in Nashua.  After he provided the description of his car and his clothing, he was told to leave the drug money in the center console of the car.  Investigating officers observed the car identified by Ortez arrive at the agreed-upon time for the deal.  Ortez then left the car and walked toward a retail store.  The officers sent a message to Ortez saying “you are all set.” Ortez returned to the car and was arrested.  Ortez was in possession of the telephone that was used to arrange the drug deal.

Ortez previously pleaded guilty on June 25, 2020. 

“Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels in New Hampshire,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Let this sentence serve as an example to those who distribute fentanyl and crack cocaine to the citizens of the Granite State that DEA will aggressively pursue and hold you accountable.  This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.” 

“As a consequence of his drug trafficking activities, Mr. Ortez will be spending a substantial amount of time in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “People who persist in distributing fentanyl and cocaine in New Hampshire should expect to suffer a similar fate. In order to deter this conduct, we will continue seek prison terms against those who are proven to be engaged in the distribution of dangerous illegal drugs.”          

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police, Methuen Police Department, Andover, Massachusetts Police Department, Essex County Sheriff’s Office, New Hampshire State Police, Manchester Police Department, Nashua Police Department, Salem Police Department, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, Hudson Police Department, and the Goffstown Police Department.                    

###