Manchester Man Sentenced to 76 Months in Federal Prison for Cocaine Trafficking

            CONCORD - United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today that Chris Minarcin, 34, formerly of Manchester, New Hampshire, was sentenced to serve 76 months in federal prison for distributing cocaine and possessing over 500 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute the drugs.

            Court documents and statements made in court showed that on three occasions in March, 2016 and January and February of 2017, Minarcin sold quantities of cocaine to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement.  The transactions took place in Manchester and Hooksett.  Additionally, on two separate occasions in February of 2017, Minarcin was found in possession of over 500 grams of cocaine during traffic stops in Manchester.

            Minarcin pleaded guilty to the charges on October 22, 2018. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Minarcin will forfeit $6,510 in drug proceeds to the United States.

            “Drug trafficking presents a substantial risk to the health and safety of our citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “This investigation is an example of how federal, state, and local law enforcement officers are working together to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate those who are responsible for distributing illegal drugs in the Granite State.”

            “DEA is committed to bring to justice those that distribute cocaine,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Minarcin accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning that DEA and its local, state and federal law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to keep this drug out of the Granite State.”

            “Mr. Minarcin is no different than any other drug trafficker who exploits vulnerable people suffering from addiction. This case is a direct result of the hard work and collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement partners in our efforts to combat those flooding our streets with drugs. The FBI New Hampshire Safe Streets Task Force will continue to do everything it can to make sure those bringing drugs and violence to our streets are held accountable,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.

            This matter was investigated by the DEA, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the New Hampshire State Police, the Manchester Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Lowell Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis.

      This investigation was conducted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.