Effingham Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy and Firearm Charges

            CONCORD – Justin English, 35, of Effingham, pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy and possessing firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, between early 2018 and October 4, 2018, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Southern Maine Safe Streets Gang Task Force conducted an investigation into English’s fentanyl trafficking in Effingham, New Hampshire and York, Maine. On October 4, 2018, the FBI executed a search warrant on English’s residence, arrested English and his co-conspirator, and seized approximately 200 gram so fentanyl, currency, collectible coins, and four firearms. Under the terms of the plea agreement, English agreed to forfeit to the United States $28,386 in cash and $45,738 in collectible coins. The FBI previously administratively forfeited the firearms.

            Sentencing is currently scheduled for January 2, 2020.

            “Fentanyl trafficking poses a significant danger to the community,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “When drug traffickers are armed, the risk to public health and safety are even higher.  We are working closely with our law enforcement partners each day to identify, arrest, and prosecute the armed drug dealers who endanger the citizens of the Granite State.”        

             This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Southern Maine Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the York, Maine County’s Sheriff’s Office, the Effingham, New Hampshire Police Department and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Davis.