Federal, state and local authorities say they've shut down the biggest drug ring in New Hampshire after tracing the fentanyl across state lines.
Investigators say Lawrence, Massachusetts was the home base for this massive operation and that a ring of drug dealers, overseen by two brothers, was sending huge quantities of fentanyl into New Hampshire.
"We believe this to be the largest fentanyl case that has been prosecuted in this district," said U.S. Attorney Scott Murray.
An investigation that spanned a year - and two states - has netted nearly four dozen suspected fentanyl dealers.
"An organization like this has a chain of command, a hierarchy," said Jon DeLena, DEA.
At the top of that chain was Sergio and Raulin Martinez, two brothers who oversaw the organization.
"They had phones that were to answer requests from customers, they were put in certain locations to service those customers," said DeLena.
Police and federal agents say the Martinez brothers, based in Lawrence sent baggies of fentanyl into New Hampshire.
"I want to thank all of the law enforcement agencies that coordinated so well to further this investigation," said Murray.
Missing from the shields that lined the wall at Wednesday's news conference was Lawrence Police - who the U.S. Attorney says wasn't a part of the investigation, despite the fact the alleged drug ring was in Lawrence.
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"I believe a calculation was made that there was in fact sufficient manpower to deal with the situation," said Murray.
Murray went on to echo comments made by President Trump and Governor Sununu that Lawrence is to blame to New Hampshire's drug crisis.
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"I think it is general knowledge in law enforcement that it is in fact the location where a lot of these drugs originate," said Murray.
Boston 25 News reached out to Mayor Daniel Rivera for comment:
"Not sure I can keep responding, saying the same thing over and over. What we do know is the desire to politicize this complex problem isn’t the answer. I’m glad they worked to take drug dealers off the streets, wherever they are from."