DEA Nabs Two in Major Salem Drug Trafficking Bust, Seizing Kilograms of Narcotics

A significant blow has been dealt to drug trafficking networks operating in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, as a multi-agency operation spearheaded by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) culminated in the arrest of two individuals in Salem, New Hampshire. Juan Montilla, 33, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, and Adalberto Colon, 33, of Manchester, New Hampshire, now face serious federal charges for their alleged roles in a large-scale conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, crack cocaine, and cocaine.

The arrests are the result of an exhaustive and ongoing investigation that brought together federal, state, and local law enforcement, including the DEA, Salem Police Department, Manchester Police Department, New Hampshire State Police, Rockingham County Sheriff's Office, and Lawrence Police Department.

This collaborative effort zeroed in on the illicit flow of narcotics through communities, aiming to dismantle the supply chains fueling the region's drug crisis.

Authorities allege that Montilla acted as a key supplier, providing substantial quantities of illegal drugs to Colon, who then facilitated their distribution.

The intricate investigation involved extensive surveillance and the execution of search warrants, meticulously tracing the network's activities. During the course of the operation, law enforcement seized an astonishing amount of illicit substances: approximately one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of deadly fentanyl, 100 grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine), and 500 grams (1.1 pounds) of powder cocaine.

The street value of these drugs is substantial, and their removal from circulation undoubtedly prevents countless potential overdoses and community harms.

Both Montilla and Colon were taken into custody in Salem, New Hampshire. They appeared in federal court in Concord to face charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and cocaine base.

If convicted on the fentanyl and cocaine base charges, they could each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, along with hefty fines of up to $10 million. For the cocaine conspiracy charge, the potential penalties are a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison, with fines up to $5 million.

This coordinated enforcement action underscores the unwavering commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat the pervasive threat of drug trafficking.

The seizure of such significant quantities of fentanyl, a substance responsible for a staggering number of overdose deaths, highlights the critical importance of these operations in protecting public safety and health across New Hampshire and beyond. The investigation remains ongoing, signaling that further actions may be taken to fully dismantle the network.