Alexander German, 28, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was sentenced on July 29 in federal court to 38 months in prison and three years of supervised release for his role in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy prosecuted by New Hampshire’s Homeland Security Task Force.
U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty imposed the sentence after German pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan said, “Mr. German was a critical link in a drug trafficking operation that moved dangerous drugs into New Hampshire. This years-long sentence makes clear that if you traffic fentanyl, you will be held accountable.”
Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division said, “This sentence sends a clear message to those who profit from poisoning our communities with fentanyl: there are serious consequences for fueling this deadly epidemic. Every dose of fentanyl trafficked into New Hampshire puts lives at risk and leaves families devastated. Thanks to the relentless work of the New Hampshire Homeland Security Task Force and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, another drug trafficker has been held accountable. DEA remains committed to identifying, investigating, and dismantling the criminal networks responsible for bringing fentanyl into New England, and we will continue working alongside our partners to protect the public and save lives.”
According to court documents and statements made during proceedings, beginning in fall 2022 the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated a Lawrence-based organization distributing fentanyl across Massachusetts and New Hampshire using social media platforms, messaging apps, and dedicated phone lines for orders. German acted as a runner for this group by conducting multiple hand-to-hand sales with an undercover officer in Lawrence as well as preparing additional quantities destined for Nashua.
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration with prosecution handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cesar A. Vega and Mike Shannon.
The case is part of an initiative under Executive Order 14159 through which the Homeland Security Task Force targets criminal cartels operating domestically or abroad using interagency collaboration among entities such as FBI, HSI, IRS Criminal Investigation Division (IRS), DEA, ATF (Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives), US Marshals Service (USMS), Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) along with local authorities under leadership from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire is a federal law enforcement entity that serves residents through federal court representation; it prosecutes federal crimes including drug offenses; handles civil cases involving government interests; builds alliances among law enforcement agencies; operates under direction from the United States Attorney General; and works toward enhancing community well-being by enforcing laws safeguarding citizens’ rights, according to its official website.