Jury Convicts Lawrence Man of Participating in Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy

           CONCORD – Malaquia Guillermo, 52, of Lawrence, Massachusetts was found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to evidence presented during a three-day jury trial, Guillermo, Marangely Melendez, and others participated in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl to customers in the Lawrence area, including customers from New Hampshire.  Evidence at trial showed that on December 6, 2018, an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement officers contacted Melendez and ordered approximately 50 grams of fentanyl.  Shortly thereafter, Guillermo met with the cooperating individual at a location in Lawrence and provided approximately 50.9 grams of fentanyl in exchange for $1,000.

            Guillermo will be sentenced on April 23, 2020.  Melendez pleaded guilty on November 26, 2019, and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 11, 2020.

            “Interstate fentanyl trafficking continues to cause substantial damage to the health and safety of the people New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “I am grateful for this jury verdict holding the defendant responsible for conspiring to distribute this lethal drug.  Working with DEA and all of our law enforcement partners, we will continue with our efforts to stop the flow of fentanyl into the Granite State.”   

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Dronzek and Joachim Barth.

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