A Manchester resident, Luis Maldonado, age 50, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Concord to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack made the announcement. Maldonado has admitted to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott has scheduled his sentencing for July 8, 2025. Maldonado was initially charged on April 26, 2023, along with 20 others. As of now, 14 involved in the conspiracy have been convicted.
The plea agreement and court statements reveal Maldonado's involvement in a Massachusetts-based drug trafficking organization that distributed significant amounts of fentanyl and crack cocaine in Manchester and other locations. By 2022, his role involved selling crack and other drugs for the organization. On May 19, 2022, law enforcement stopped a vehicle with Maldonado as a passenger. A search found $12,994 and a digital scale in his backpack, along with a hidden compartment in the vehicle used to hide narcotics. His phone contained text messages arranging drug transactions.
Under the charging statute, sentencing could include up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years of supervised release, and a possible $1,000,000 fine. Sentencing is determined by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America. This nationwide initiative aims to counter illegal immigration, eradicate cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime. The Department of Justice's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods are integral to the operation. More information on the OCDETF Program is available at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.