By Eric Daneault, a 48-year-old Manchester, New Hampshire resident, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison Thursday for his involvement in a widespread methamphetamine trafficking operation. The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton in Boston, marks a significant development in a case that has shed light on the extensive reach of drug networks in New England.
Daneault, who pleaded guilty on February 16, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, will also face three years of supervised release following his prison term.
The case against Daneault was part of a larger investigation that resulted in the indictment of 11 individuals on various charges including drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and money laundering. Authorities seized over 160 pounds of pure methamphetamine during the investigation, along with an array of weapons including an AK-47, a Glock with no serial number, two loaded Smith & Wesson handguns, and more than 4,200 rounds of ammunition. The operation also led to the dismantling of an illegal marijuana grow operation containing hundreds of plants.
According to court documents, the investigation began in October 2020 when law enforcement received information about a large-scale methamphetamine supplier operating in the Boston area. By late 2020, investigators had identified Reshat Alkayisi as a key figure in the operation, distributing multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine to various co-conspirators throughout New England. Daneault was identified as one of Alkayisi’s distributors, receiving approximately 5.3 kilograms of methamphetamine from him in May 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy emphasized the significance of the case, stating, “This sentencing represents our ongoing commitment to dismantling drug trafficking organizations that threaten the safety and well-being of our communities.”
The investigation involved collaboration among multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division, and various state and local police departments across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Daneault is the fourth defendant to be sentenced in this case, with all other defendants having pleaded guilty and awaiting sentencing. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alathea Porter and Katherine Ferguson of the Criminal Division.
This case is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, a program designed to identify, disrupt, and dismantle high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States. The OCDETF approach combines prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency efforts to combat complex criminal networks.
