Derry Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Cocaine

          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Edwin Ruiz, 30, of Derry, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in federal court today to one count of possession with intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine.

          Information based on court filings and statements made in court established that on December 1, 2016, Ruiz was driving a vehicle that was stopped by the Manchester Police Department. A search of the car resulted in the seizure of $8,264 and 799.8 grams of cocaine.

          The defendant’s plea agreement includes a binding stipulated sentence of 90 months’ imprisonment. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for January 2, 2018.

          “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who are distributing drugs in our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “I commend the work of the law enforcement officers in this case. Their efforts led to the seizure of this cocaine before it could be distributed.”

          The case was investigated by the Manchester Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Georgiana L. Konesky.

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