Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy To Distribute Fentanyl
CONCORD, N.H. - Michael J. Ferguson Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement (DEA) New England Division and Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Rolando Sierra-Oyola, 30, formerly of Andover, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court proceedings, Sierra-Oyola sold “fingers” (ten-gram quantities) of fentanyl on multiple occasions in 2015 and 2016 to individuals who were cooperating with law enforcement officers and who traveled from New Hampshire to purchase fentanyl. On some occasions, Sierra-Oyola sold the drugs directly. On other occasions, he sent “runners” to distribute the drugs on his behalf. He was arrested on July 22, 2016, outside his residence in Andover, Massachusetts. A search of his residence yielded additional quantities of fentanyl. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 12, 2017.
“Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels across New England and those suffering from opioid addiction need access to treatment and recovery,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “But those responsible for distributing a lethal drug like fentanyl to the citizens of New Hampshire need to be held accountable for their actions. DEA is committed to aggressively pursue drug trafficking organizations or individuals who are coming from out of state to distribute this poison in order to profit and destroy people’s lives. This investigation demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our local, state and federal partners and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute individuals who are distributing fentanyl,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “This deadly drug is largely responsible for the substantial number of overdose deaths in the Granite State. Members of the law enforcement community will continue to work together to stop the flow of this drug into New Hampshire.”
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the police departments in Portsmouth and Exeter, New Hampshire, the police departments in Andover, Lawrence, and Wilmington, Massachusetts, and the New Hampshire State Police.
