United States Drug Enforcement Administration

CONCORD, N.H. – Christopher Archambault, 56, of Rochester, was sentenced today to 72 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 24, 2020, after conducting surveillance of a residence in Weare, NH believed to be the site of drug activity, officers of the New Hampshire State Police conducted a motor vehicle stop of a car in which Mr. Archambault was a passenger.  A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a black cloth bag concealed in the cushion of the back passenger seat, which contained 250.6 grams of fentanyl, packaged for distribution in smaller baggies.  Mr. Archambault admitted that the drugs belonged to him. 

“We will prosecute drug dealers who poison the community with dangerous narcotics to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “This federal sentence reflects the recognized danger that narcotics, and those who sell them for a profit, pose to our state.  Our office is working closely with our law enforcement partners to disrupt illegal drug distribution in a concerted effort to prevent the harm that narcotics such as fentanyl are causing New Hampshire residents.”

“DEA is committed to investigating individuals who are responsible for distributing lethal drugs like fentanyl to the citizens of New Hampshire,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Let this sentence be a warning to those traffickers who distribute this poison in order to profit and destroy people’s lives.  DEA’s top priority is combatting the opioid epidemic by working with our local, county, state and federal partners to bring to justice anyone who distributes deadly drugs.”

This matter was investigated by New Hampshire State Police with the assistance of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Gingrande and Cam Le.