A Dominican national has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for drug trafficking activities at a public housing development in Portsmouth. Maikol Jordan Saldivar-Diaz, 28, received the sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott and will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.
In November 2024, Saldivar-Diaz pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of controlled substances. Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack commented on the case, stating: “Saldivar-Diaz is an illegal immigrant who chose to distribute drugs outside of a public housing development. The families at the housing development deserve better than to be endangered by those dealing and buying dangerous narcotics nearby. We will continue to support our partners to ensure public neighborhoods in the Granite State are safeguarded from drug activity and violence.”
The investigation began when the Portsmouth Police Department was alerted about drug activities at a local public housing area. Investigators identified Saldivar-Diaz as a key figure in these operations. Over June and July 2024, he sold controlled substances, including fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, to a confidential informant on three occasions.
The investigation was led by the Portsmouth Police Department with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Scanlon is handling prosecution duties for this case.
This sentencing is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at identifying and dismantling major criminal organizations through collaborative efforts among multiple agencies.