Laconia resident 1 of 12 convicted in narcotics bust

A Laconia resident is one of 12 to plead guilty in last eight months on charges of drug trafficking. Federal prosecutors have been working to hold accountable those involved in an apparent social media-based trafficking ring, following a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation. 

Benjamin M. Fields, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute drugs, and possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances, namely more than 40 grams of fentanyl. Sentencing in Fields' case is scheduled for Jan. 16.

The traffickers distributed huge amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine and some cocaine across New Hampshire and Maine, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan said in a press release.

According to court documents and statements made during proceedings, in October 2023, officers learned a drug trafficking organization operating in Lowell and Lawrence, Massachusetts, was trafficking narcotics to buyers in New Hampshire and Maine using text messages and social media.

From fall 2023 into spring 2024, officers made a series of purchases, and conducted searches of houses used by the trafficking organization that resulted in seizing about 2.5 kilograms of fentanyl, 250 grams of methamphetamine, and 28 grams of cocaine, plus some handguns.

During the investigation, officers conducted additional searches of social media, vehicles and homes that indicated the group trafficked an additional 20 kilograms of fentanyl, 1 kilogram of methamphetamine, and 200 grams of cocaine. Six customers sought to exchange firearms, including shotguns, rifles and handguns, for narcotics.

Eleven others pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to distribute drugs, and possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances: 

Robert A. Arrington, 38, of Bangor, Maine, whose sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 11.  

Timothy E. Boston, 38, of Nashua, also known as Timothy Earl Boston II. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante sentenced Boston to 30 months in federal prison, and two years of supervised release.

Christian F. Gerlach, 52, of Manchester, whose sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 13.

Amanda E. Gray, 39, of Fairfield, Maine, also known as Amanda E. Camera or Amanda E. Douglass, involving more than 40 grams of fentanyl. Sentencing in that case is scheduled for Jan. 22.

Jacob D. King, 41, of Milton, involving more than 40 grams of fentanyl. Sentencing in that case is scheduled for Jan. 27.

Moses J. Losuk, 28, of Portland, Maine, whose sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 15. 

Riley J. Paletta, 26, of Hudson, whose sentencing date is pending. 

John N. Titus, 35, of Farmington, whose sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 12.

Robert W. Whiteside Jr., 46, of Exeter, whose sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 5. 

William L. Wheelock, 34, of Windham, Maine. Laplante sentenced Wheelock to 50 months in federal prison, plus three years of supervised release. 

Alexander L. Wilson, 38, of Belfast, Maine, whose sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 8.

For Fields, Gray and King, the charging statute provides for a sentence of at least 5 years, and up to 40 years in federal prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $5 million. For the others, the statute provides for a sentence of not more than 20 years in federal prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $1 million, according to a press release.

The Bedford, Hudson, Laconia, Manchester and Nashua police departments, State Police, and the Strafford County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the DEA investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cesar Vega is prosecuting the case.

“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),” a press statement reads.