Manchester man behind bars on fentanyl, cocaine trafficking charges

CONCORD - A Manchester man has been charged in connection with the distribution of fentanyl and crack cocaine.

Walter Velez, 41, was arrested and charged with distribution of controlled substances in connection with the sale of fentanyl to a confidential informant. Velez made an initial appearance in federal court on Friday and being held pending a detention hearing late Wednesday afternoon.

According to charging documents he sold the informant more than 200 grams of fentanyl and more than 20 grams of crack cocaine.

The charge of distribution of a controlled substance provides for a sentence of at least 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, at least 4 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5,000,000.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward is prosecuting the case.