Dominican man faces up to life in prison for his part in drug trafficking ring

CONCORD - A Dominican man has pleaded guilty in connection with a drug trafficking organization distributing large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine.

Raynerson Marcos De La Paz Matos, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, according to a release from the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Llaw enforcement operatives purchased fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine from the drug trafficking organization in Manchester on 10 occasions, according to the release. These purchases resulted in the total seizure of more than 350 grams of fentanyl, more than 40 grams of cocaine, and more than 25 grams of crack cocaine.

Then on Sept 11, law enforcement searched two residences on Cilley Road and Dubuque Street in Manchester. The search of the Cilley Road residence yielded a total of more than 1,600 grams of fentanyl, more than 480 grams of cocaine, and drug proceeds totaling $4,675. The search of the Dubuque Street residence yielded drug proceeds totaling $54,370 and assorted jewelry with an estimated value of $161,675.

The charging statute provides a sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $10,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Sentencing in the case is set for Dec. 2.

This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).