New Hampshire Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing 70 Kilos of Cocaine

BOSTON - A Manchester, N.H. man pleaded guilty on Dec. 11, 2024, in federal court in Boston to possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

Miguel Angel Martinez Lugo, a/k/a "Jesus Manuel Encarnacion," a/k/a "Jose Rosado Rabell," 38, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick scheduled sentencing for March 6, 2025.

On April 4, 2024, police working in plain clothes and operating an unmarked vehicle observed a black Acura MDX with a New Hampshire license plate registered to Martinez Lugo under his alias, "Jesus Encarnacion," and a Chevrolet pickup truck with an Ohio license plate in close proximity to one another that appeared to be travelling together. Law enforcement followed the two vehicles as they drove down a number of streets and then ultimately parked on Porter Street Court in Salem, Mass. The two vehicles were parked in such a way that their trunks were visible and law enforcement observed two males, one of which was identified as Martinez Lugo, transporting a heavy-duty black plastic storage bin with a yellow lid from the pickup truck to the black Acura MDX. Two additional heavy duty black plastic storage bins were observed inside of the black Acura MDX.

When the Black Acura MDX passed the law enforcement vehicle, the driver, Martinez Lugo, made eye contact with the officer and then quickly parked and abandoned the vehicle. A search warrant was subsequently sought for the vehicle and 70 kilograms of cocaine were found inside of the three plastic storage bins inside of the vehicle. Three cellular phones were also recovered from the vehicle, among other things.

The charge provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to life of supervised release and fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Chief Lucas J. Miller of the Salem (Mass.) Police Department; and Chief Peter Marr of the Manchester N.H. Police Department made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Marshals and the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Mackenzie Duane of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.