A Manchester, New Hampshire man has admitted guilt in a federal court in Boston for possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute. Miguel Angel Martinez Lugo, also known by aliases "Jesus Manuel Encarnacion" and "Jose Rosado Rabell," pleaded guilty on December 11, 2024. The charge involves possession of five kilograms or more of cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick has set the sentencing date for March 6, 2025.
The case dates back to April 4, 2024, when police officers in plain clothes observed two vehicles traveling together—a black Acura MDX registered under one of Martinez Lugo's aliases and a Chevrolet pickup truck with an Ohio license plate. The vehicles were seen parked on Porter Street Court in Salem, Massachusetts. Officers witnessed Martinez Lugo and another male moving a heavy-duty black plastic storage bin from the pickup truck to the Acura MDX, which already contained two similar bins.
Martinez Lugo made eye contact with law enforcement before quickly abandoning his vehicle after parking it nearby. A search warrant was obtained for the Acura MDX, leading to the discovery of 70 kilograms of cocaine within three storage bins inside the vehicle. Additionally, three cellular phones were recovered.
The charge against Martinez Lugo carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and could extend up to life imprisonment. It also includes at least five years up to life supervised release and fines reaching $10 million.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Field Division; Chief Lucas J. Miller of the Salem Police Department; and Chief Peter Marr of the Manchester Police Department. Support was provided by the United States Marshals and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Mackenzie Duane is handling prosecution duties.