CONCORD – Gabriel Rivera, 41, of Manchester, was sentenced on Monday to 90 months in federal prison for drug conspiracy and firearm charges, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on two occasions in early 2020, a cooperating individual (CI) working with the Manchester Police Department bought fentanyl from Rivera and Ramon Guerrero at their shared apartment. While in the apartment, the CI observed quantities of suspected crack and methamphetamine as well as fentanyl.
On May 15, 2020, detectives observed Guerrero and a woman check into a local motel at 3:30 am under the woman’s name. After obtaining arrest and search warrants, officers entered the room. Detectives discovered $9,254 and several baggies containing cocaine, as well as fentanyl in pill form. Investigators executed a search of the apartment and found Rivera sitting on a couch with an open fanny pack next to him, an open safe at his feet, and a handgun tucked behind the cushion. On his person, detectives located $1,151. The safe and pack contained crack, over 76 grams of cocaine, and over 162 grams of fentanyl. As a convicted felon, Rivera was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Rivera and Guerrero previously pleaded guilty on August 3, 2021. Guerrero is scheduled to be sentenced on November 23, 2021.
“Drug traffickers continue to endanger our community by selling deadly substances,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “When drug dealers are armed, they also present a serious risk of violence. As this case demonstrates, we are working closely with the Manchester Police to identify and prosecute the armed drug traffickers who pose a threat to the citizens of Manchester.”
This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.). In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts. The goal of S.O.S. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua.
###
Office Hours:
M-F 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
During inclement weather, please check wmur closings/delays
Making sure that victims of federal crimes are treated with compassion, fairness and respect.
