Massachusetts Man Sentenced to Over 12 Years Imprisonment for Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy

            CONCORD – Mikael Canario-Batista, 47, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was sentenced to  151 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, Canario-Batista was part of a drug-distribution conspiracy operating in Lawrence, Massachusetts that distributed fentanyl into New Hampshire. The defendant provided a stash house for fentanyl imported from an international source of supply and assisted in distributing the fentanyl to other larger distributors.  The defendant was intercepted on a court authorized wiretap arranging drug purchases from a co-conspirator who was importing the drugs. The interceptions and other evidence resulted in the execution of a search warrant at the defendant’s residence which resulted in the seizure of over 7 kilograms of fentanyl.

            “This is another example of the many people needed to make an international drug conspiracy function” said U.S. Attorney Young.  “The defendant operated a critical way station as the dangerous fentanyl traveled from its international source to the New Hampshire streets. We will continue to investigate and prosecute those involved at every level of moving this dangerous drug.”

            “DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling Drug Trafficking Organizations and individuals like Mr. Batista who are responsible for distributing lethal drugs like fentanyl to the citizens of New Hampshire,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Today’s substantial sentence not only holds Mr. Batista accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those traffickers who are fueling the opioid epidemic with deadly drugs in order to profit and destroy people’s lives.  DEA’s top priority is combatting the opioid epidemic by working with our local, county, state and federal partners to bring to justice anyone who distributes this poison.”

            “Canario-Batista played an important role in the supply chain that brings deadly opiates like fentanyl into our communities. International drug trafficking is an incredibly complex problem that can only be addressed through collaboration and we are proud to join our partners with the Drug Enforcement Administration as we work together for results like today’s sentence,” said Michael Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England.

            This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth Aframe, John Kennedy and Heather Cherniske.

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