CONCORD, NH—Walter Velez, 41, of Manchester, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release for distributing fentanyl and crack cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante handed down the sentence following Velez’s guilty plea on April 2, 2024, to four counts of distribution of controlled substances.
In April 2023, Velez sold significant quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine to a confidential informant on four separate occasions at his business, Velez Alignment & Auto Services, LLC, located at 416 Lake Avenue in Manchester. The transactions involved over 200 grams of fentanyl and over 20 grams of crack cocaine.
“The defendant distributed a significant amount of drugs from his business, which was located in a densely populated neighborhood,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Law enforcement in the Granite State remains committed to thwarting drug dealers at every level in the supply chain to hold them accountable for selling dangerous narcotics and to eradicate drug trafficking in our neighborhoods.”
Michael J. Krol, HSI New England Special Agent in Charge, added, “Velez was caught selling crack cocaine and fentanyl, two deadly drugs that have caused havoc and destruction for too many families in New Hampshire. Today’s sentence puts an end to Velez’s drug dealing. HSI continues to work with our partners in New Hampshire to stop the trafficking and distribution of drugs into our communities.”
The sentencing underscores ongoing efforts by federal and local law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking and distribution in New Hampshire.
