NH Fentanyl Trafficker Caused 'Grave Damage': Feds

CONCORD, NH — A Manchester man arrested in an undercover fentanyl bust in 2016 pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges, prosecutors announced Thursday. Derrick Jennings, 48, pleaded guilty in federal court in Concord to three counts of distributing fentanyl and one count of conspiracy. He will be sentenced in May.

“Individuals like this defendant who seek to profit from the sale of this deadly drug are causing grave damage to our community," New Hampshire U.S. Attorney John Farley said in a statement. "We will work tirelessly to stop fentanyl trafficking and to protect the citizens of the Granite State from its deadly effects.”

Jennings and two of his drug runners were arrested in 2016, prosecutors said. Jennings sold fentanyl on three occasions to an undercover informant working with Rochester police, officials said. A raid of his Manchester apartment in July 2016 turned up nearly 60 grams of fentanyl and more than $6,000. Jennings went on the run but was arrested in November, police said.

If you or someone you know is suffering from opioid abuse, the New Hampshire "Safe Station" program in Manchester and Nashua offers help. Citizens can walk into any city fire station and get connected with recovery help — no questions asked. Learn more.

Photo credit: Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press