A Puerto Rican man who previously resided in Manchester has admitted guilt in a federal court for his role as the leader of a cocaine distribution conspiracy, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack.
Lewistone Baez Miranda, 50, confessed to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. He is the third out of six defendants charged in this case to plead guilty. Sentencing by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante is set for May 7, 2025. The indictment against Baez Miranda was issued on December 20, 2023.
Court documents and statements reveal that Baez Miranda led a drug trafficking organization that transported cocaine from Puerto Rico to Manchester, New Hampshire. His son allegedly used false information to send cocaine packages via the United States Postal Service under his father's direction. These packages often contained bundles of either 500 grams or 1,000 grams of cocaine concealed within children's games. Co-conspirators were employed by Baez Miranda to collect these packages in Manchester. Additionally, he sent suspected drug proceeds back to his son in Puerto Rico, including one parcel containing $11,000. From September 2020 through December 2021, over 5.6 kilograms of cocaine were shipped from Puerto Rico to Manchester for redistribution by the organization.
The charges carry a potential sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment, at least three years supervised release, and a maximum fine of $1 million. Sentences are determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
The investigation was spearheaded by the United States Postal Inspection Service with support from the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande is handling the prosecution.