United States Drug Enforcement Administration

CONCORD, N.H. – A Massachusetts man has pleaded guilty in federal court to drug trafficking offenses, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Carlos Alejandro Chevalier Santos, 22, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and distribution of controlled substances.  U.S. District Court Samantha Elliott scheduled sentencing for September 16, 2024.  Charges are still pending against Santos’ co-conspirators.

Santos was part of a Methuen-based drug-trafficking organization that was distributing significant quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Seacoast area.  Santos was identified as a “runner,” or a person who makes drug deliveries on behalf of the organization.  During the investigation, Santos made at least two deliveries of controlled substances to undercover law enforcement officers, including the delivery of a pound of methamphetamine in February 2024.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, at least 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $1,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. The Seabrook Police Department, Hampton Police Department, Portsmouth Police Department, Methuen Police Department, and the New Hampshire State Police provided valuable assistance.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kasey Weiland and Heather Cherniske are prosecuting the case.