Staff reports 10:40 a.m.
Saturday, October 30, 2021 10:41 am

LACONIA - A Boston man was sentenced to 13-26 years in state prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl.

Mariano Santos, 30, pleaded guilty at the Belknap County Superior Court on Friday was remanded immediately to state prison.

Evidence in this case established that Santos and another individual drove to Tilton on Jan. 29 and sold approximately 695 grams (1.53 pounds) of fentanyl to a buyer there.

State Police troopers stopped the buyer after the sale, resulting in the seizure of the fentanyl, which otherwise would have likely been distributed throughout the North Country of New Hampshire.

After the sale, an undercover officer initiated contact with Santos via text messaging and arranged to purchase fentanyl from Santos in North Conway.

On Feb. 12 Santos was arrested in North Conway while in possession of about 750 grams (1.65 pounds) of fentanyl, which he intended to sell to the undercover office.

During this investigation Santos sold or intended to sell a total of some 1.45 kilograms (3.19 pounds) of fentanyl.

The investigation and resolution of this case was the result of the collaborative efforts of the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office, the New Hampshire Attorney General's Drug Task Force, the New Hampshire State Police, and the DEA.