Sanbornville man pleads guilty to trafficking meth

CONCORD - A Sanbornville man pleaded guilty on Thursday in federal court to drug trafficking charges and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced today.

According to court documents and statements made in court, James Coughlin, 38, formerly of Milton Mills, conspired with individuals in California to have quantities of "ice" methamphetamine shipped to him at his Sanbornville residence. He distributed a portion of the drugs to individuals in New Hampshire. On Sept. 17, 2019, he sold around 27 grams of "ice" to an individual who was cooperating with the New Hampshire Attorney General's Drug Task Force.

Then on Jan. 14, 2020, federal and state law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at Coughlin's residence and seized some 61 grams of "ice," cash, firearms and ammunition. Because he previously had been convicted of a felony, it was unlawful for Coughlin to possess the firearms and ammunition.

Coughlin is scheduled to be sentenced on May 18.