Belknap County Drug Trafficker Sentenced for Trafficking More Than 400 Grams of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine

Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella announces that Thomas Drake, age 35, of New Hampton, New Hampshire was sentenced today in Belknap County Superior Court to 7½ to 15 years in the New Hampshire State Prison after pleading guilty to multiple drug trafficking and weapons offenses stemming from four separate drug investigations in Belknap County. In addition to his stand-committed sentence, Drake received multiple consecutive suspended sentences totaling 15 to 30 years, which will remain suspended for 10 years following his release from prison.

"Fentanyl and methamphetamine continue to pose a serious threat to communities across New Hampshire," said Attorney General Formella. "This case demonstrates the importance of sustained investigative work and strong partnerships among law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute those who distribute dangerous drugs. We are grateful to our law enforcement partners for their work in bringing these cases forward and holding this defendant accountable."

Drake pleaded guilty to four counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled drug, involving a combined total of more than 300 grams of fentanyl and more than 100 grams of methamphetamine. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of being a felon in possession of a dangerous weapon, involving two separate sets of metallic knuckles, and four additional felony counts of possession of a controlled drug.

The Attorney General's Office thanks the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Hampshire State Police, and the Gilford and New Hampton Police Departments for their assistance and investigative work on these cases.

The cases were prosecuted by Attorney Whit Skinner of the Attorney General's Drug Prosecution Unit.