Mass. Drug Dealer Gets More than 7 Years in Prison

CONCORD, NH — Elgid Guzman, 46, of Lawrence, MA, was sentenced on March 23, 2017, to serve 87 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl, according to a press release from acting-U.S. Attorney John J. Farley. According to court documents and statements in court, Guzman conspired to distribute in excess of 4 kilograms of fentanyl.

"Between May and August 2016, Guzman made five sales of fentanyl to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement officers," Farley stated. "Following the sales, a search warrant was executed at Guzman’s Lawrence residence. Approximately $113,100 in cash was found hidden in a wall of the apartment."

Guzman, who previously pleaded guilty to the charge, will be placed on supervised release for five years following his release from prison. He also was ordered to forfeit the $113,100 in drug proceeds that had been seized from his residence.

“Fentanyl has been the cause of the majority of overdose deaths in New Hampshire," Farley added. "Thanks to the cooperation of the Drug Enforcement Administration and our local partners, law enforcement officers were able to prevent a large quantity of this potentially deadly drug from being sold on the street. I particularly want to commend the Manchester Police Department and the DEA for their excellent work in stopping this very significant drug trafficking operation."

DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson added, “The state of New Hampshire is faced with a fentanyl and heroin crisis unlike ever before. Those suffering from a fentanyl and heroin substance use disorder need treatment and recovery, but those who are coming from out of state to distribute and profit from spreading this misery need to be held accountable. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement in New Hampshire and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to aggressively seek and bring to justice anyone who distributes these drugs.”