Brothers face stiff prison terms in fentanyl trafficking case

From left, Zachary Mackenzie, Benjamin Michael Mackenzie (Rochester Police photos)Brothers face

DOVER - Two Rochester men who are brothers have been indicted for allegedly trafficking in fentanyl, a synthetic opiate 30 times more powerful than heroin and blamed for an increasing number of overdose deaths in New Hampshire, Maine and across the Northeast in recent years.

Benjamin Michael Mackenzie, 20, and Zachary Mackenzie, 23, both of 198 South Main St., are accused of selling fentanyl twice in August in Dover to an individual cooperating with the Strafford County Drug Task Force.

The dates of the alleged drug buys were Aug. 29 and 30.

Both are charged as accomplices with control and sale of an illegal drug, however, Benjamin Michael Mackenzie faces two enhanced Class A felony charges since he had previously been convicted of a similar crime. He faces up to 15 years in prison and a $200,000 fine, while his older brother faces up to 7 years for Class B felony charges and a $100.000 fine.

The February Strafford County grand jury indictments came down on Feb. 16 and were released on Friday.

An indictment is not an indication of guilt, only that enough evidence has been presented to warrant a trial.