Lawrence man found guilty in N.H. fentanyl trafficking case

CONCORD - A 52-year-old Lawrence, Mass., man has been found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a Thursday press release.

According to evidence presented during a three-day jury trial, Malaquia Guillermo, Marangely Melendez, and others participated in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl to customers in the Lawrence area as well as customers in New Hampshire.

Evidence at trial showed that on Dec. 6, 2018, an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement officers contacted Melendez and ordered approximately 50 grams of fentanyl. Shortly thereafter, Guillermo met with the cooperating individual at a location in Lawrence and provided approximately 50.9 grams of fentanyl in exchange for $1,000.

Guillermo will be sentenced on April 23. Melendez pleaded guilty on Nov. 26 and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 11.

"Interstate fentanyl trafficking continues to cause substantial damage to the health and safety of the people New Hampshire," said U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray. "I am grateful for this jury verdict holding the defendant responsible for conspiring to distribute this lethal drug. Working with DEA and all of our law enforcement partners, we will continue with our efforts to stop the flow of fentanyl into the Granite State."