Rockingham County Fentanyl Ring Leader Gets 18-40 Years

BRENTWOOD, NH -- A Rockingham County fentanyl drug ring leader who ran a years-long enterprise that at its peak sold at least 200 grams of week in the county was sentenced to 18 to 40 years in prison on Tuesday. James Castine, 25, of Epping, pleaded guilty to running a drug enterprise and was sentenced in Rockingham County Superior Court in Brentwood.

Castine was responsible for bringing so much fentanyl into Rockingham County that when he was arrested and indicted in December, overdose rates in Epping and Raymond dropped by half, according to Rockingham County Attorney Patricia Conway. There was a similar effect in other surrounding communities, she added.

"Illegal drug distribution ravages our families and communities," Conway said in a statement. "Thanks to the strength of collaborative local and county law enforcement efforts, Rockingham County is a safer place today."

Castine admitted to having at least seven drug dealers working for him. They would pick up fentanyl and Massachusetts and deliver it to Castine in Epping. The drugs would then be distributed "across" Rockingham County, according to Conway.

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