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Manchester man pleads guilty for role in conspiracy to trafficking cocaine

Stock photo of a judge's gavel. (Jantanee Phoolmas / Moment / Getty Images)
(Jantanee Phoolmas / Moment / Getty Images)

CONCORD, N.H. — A Manchester man, originally from Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty on Wednesday for his role as a leader in distributing cocaine.

Lewistone Baez Miranda, age 50, was initially indicted on December 30, 2023. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

Baez Miranda is the third of six defendants charged in this case to plead guilty. Baez Miranda was allegedly the supposed leader in the suspected drug trafficking ring.

According to statements made in court, alongside a plea agreement, Baez Miranda’s son was using fabricated information to send packages filled with cocaine from Puerto Rico to Manchester, New Hampshire.

The cocaine was often hidden in children’s games, containing 500-1,000 gram bundles. Baez Miranda frequently hired individuals to pick up the packages in Manchester for him. Baez Miranda also sent the proceeds of the drugs back to Puerto Rico for his son, on one occasion sending him $11,000.

Baez Miranda is expected to face a prison sentence no greater than 20 years, with at least 3 years of supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.

Baez Miranda is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7, 2025

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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