Manchester Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute More Than 3 Pounds of Methamphetamine Sourced from Lawrence

CONCORD – A Manchester man was sentenced on September 9^th, 2025, in federal court for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Joseph Coffey, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Joseph N. Laplante to 60 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release.  On February 25, 2025, Coffey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  Coffey’s co-defendant, Zachary Austin, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison.

“The defendant and his co-conspirator worked to introduce a significant amount of methamphetamine into the Manchester area,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. “Methamphetamine has inflicted tremendous damage on our communities over the past decade, and law enforcement in the Granite State will continue to relentlessly work to dismantle large-scale drug distributors.”

“DEA’s top priority is to aggressively pursue anyone who distributes poisons like methamphetamine in order to profit and destroy lives,” said Special Agent in Charge, Jarod Forget, New England Field Division.  “Illegal drug distribution ravages the very foundations of our families and communities so every time we take drugs off the streets, lives are saved. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, state and federal law enforcement efforts and our strong partnership with U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Coffey and Austin operated a methamphetamine distribution business out of their shared Manchester apartment.  Between July and September 2024, Coffey and Austin sold methamphetamine to law enforcement on five occasions.  Searches of their apartment and vehicle later uncovered additional methamphetamine.  In total, law enforcement recovered approximately 3.66 pounds of methamphetamine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case.

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