CONCORD - Derek Rand, 31, of Rochester, was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison for participating in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between late 2017 and Dec. 18, 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the New Hampshire State Police conducted an investigation of drug trafficking by Rand, who used runners to obtain fentanyl in Massachusetts and bring it to New Hampshire for distribution. During the investigation, over one kilogram of fentanyl was seized from members of Rand’s drug trafficking organization.
Rand previously pleaded guilty on Aug. 29, 2019.
“Despite its deadly impact on our citizens, greedy drug traffickers continue to seek profit from the sale of fentanyl," said U.S. Attorney Murray. “We will not tolerate fentanyl trafficking in New Hampshire. To fight this menace, we work closely each day with our law enforcement partners to identify, arrest, and incarcerate those who are responsible for bringing this deadly substance into the Granite State."
“Fentanyl distribution is destroying people’s lives and wreaking havoc in our communities," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “DEA and our law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue and bring to justice individuals like Mr. Rand that distribute this poison."
This matter was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the New Hampshire State Police and the Dover, New Hampshire Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Davis.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
