Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Fourteen individuals have been indicted, and eleven have been arrested in connection with a drug trafficking organization based in Lawrence. This group is accused of distributing fentanyl across New Hampshire, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Jane Young.
Law enforcement officers carried out arrests between October 23 and October 31, 2024, in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The charges include conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, specifically fentanyl. Court appearances for the defendants began last week.
The indicted individuals are Franly Herrera-Herrera, Yoefferman Robles Soto, Jose Herrera, Daniel Mendez Ubri, Wayestar Concepcion, Andri Pimental Arias, Alexander German, Joseph Post, Bruce Wells, Brexton Boudle, Michael Savard, Trenton Murphy, Jade Markham, and Hope Cassin. While most are in federal custody or released under supervision conditions, Markham and Cassin have not yet been apprehended.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Franly Herrera-Herrera and Yoefferman Robles Soto face mandatory minimum penalties of 10 years due to their roles in the conspiracy. Sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge following U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation with assistance from multiple police departments across New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherniske is handling the prosecution.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at targeting high-level drug traffickers through a collaborative approach involving various law enforcement agencies.
It should be noted that all details within the charging documents are allegations at this stage. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.