Lawrence Fentanyl Trafficker Gets Decade In Jail

CONCORD, NH — A man with a drug operation based out of Lawrence, Massachusetts, faces deportation after he serves a 10-year sentence issued by the U.S. District Court on Tuesday. Robert Raniery Arias, 35, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl on May 21, 2019. He pleaded guilty to the charge on Jan. 31.

In September 2016, Arias, who is not in the U.S. legally, was arrested at the Rockingham Mall in Salem attempting to deliver around 500 grams of fentanyl to an undercover police officer.

A co-conspirator, Carmen Jose, was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison on Feb. 2, 2018.

“The 10-year sentence imposed in this case serves as a warning to fentanyl traffickers,” said U.S. Attorney Scott Murray in a statement. “Those who choose to bring this deadly drug into the Granite State should be aware that they face very substantial federal prison terms. Law enforcement agencies are working 24-hours a day to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate those who distribute fentanyl and other opioids in New Hampshire.”

Arias faces deportation to the Dominican Republic, where he is a citizen, after serving his prison sentence, the court noted in a press statement.

“New Hampshire is in the midst of a devastating opioid crisis, as deaths from fentanyl climb,” added DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “The DEA will continue to use every resource available to identify those like Mr. Arias, who are coming from out of state to contribute to this crisis. DEA’s top priority is combatting the opioid epidemic by working with our local, county, state and federal law enforcement partners to bring to justice anyone who distributes this deadly drug.”

Along with the DEA, Salem and Nashua police assisted with the case.