Massachusetts Men Indicted for Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl in New Hampshire

Massachusetts Men Indicted for Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl in New Hampshire

CONCORD - Two Massachusetts men were indicted for drug offenses, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Francis Miguel Rodriguez, 27, and Roberto Ramon-Avalo, 26, were charged by indictment on March 18, 2026. Rodriguez was charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute it and both men are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Both men were previously charged by criminal complaint and arrested on December 2, 2025.

According to the court documents and statements made in court, beginning in early 2024, the DEA began an investigation into an unknown individual who was selling multiple-ounce quantities of methamphetamine in the Rochester, New Hampshire area. During the investigation, in June 2024, during a traffic stop, a narcotics-detecting K-9 alerted to the presence of controlled substances in Rodriguez's vehicle. Law enforcement later found substantial quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl hidden in two black magnetic boxes secreted in the front passenger side wheel well. Thereafter, two DEA cooperating sources (or "CS") communicated with Rodriguez to purchase methamphetamine and fentanyl. Each time, Avalo traveled to New Hampshire to deliver the drugs at the agreed upon price. In December 2025, DEA obtained arrest warrants for Rodriguez and Avalo and a search warrant for a suspected drug house in Boston that they were using to conduct their drug trafficking activity. In the residence, DEA found items used to package and mix narcotics and approximately 5 pounds of methamphetamine and other controlled substances. After Avalo's arrest, DEA found more controlled substances in a drug hide built into the dash of his car, including more than 200 grams of methamphetamine and more than 700 grams of fentanyl.

The charges of possession with intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance each carry a sentence of up to 20 years' incarceration, not less than 3 years of supervised release, and a fine up to $1,000,000. 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.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).