New HampshireDepartment of JusticeOffice of the Attorney General

News Release

For Immediate Release
June 27, 2019

Contact:
Kate Spiner, Director of Communications
kate.spiner@doj.nh.gov | 603-573-6103

Danielle Sakowski, Senior Assistant Attorney General
danielle.sakowski@doj.nh.gov | (603) 271-3671

Jesse O'Neill, Assistant Attorney General
jesse.o'neill@doj.nh.gov | (603) 271-3671

Six Individuals Arrested as a Results of a Joint Cross-Border Drug Trafficking Investigation

Concord, NH – New Hampshire Deputy Attorney General Jane E. Young and the United States Drug Enforcement Administrator Special Agent-in-Charge Brian D. Boyle announce that six individuals were arrested as a result of a multi-month, joint cross-border drug trafficking investigation between the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office and the DEA along with the assistance of other federal, state and local agencies.

On Thursday, June 27, 2019, search warrants were executed in Haverhill and Lawrence, Massachusetts, and Bedford and Ashland, New Hampshire. The six individuals who were arrested are:

  • Brian Rutherford, age 22, of Bedford, New Hampshire was arrested on a charge of conspiracy to possess a controlled drug (fentanyl) with intent to sell. Mr. Rutherford will be arraigned on Friday, June 28, 2019, in Rockingham County Superior Court at 1:00 p.m.
  • Mackenzie Ramos, age 25, of Amherst, New Hampshire was arrested for possession of a controlled drug (fentanyl) with intent to sell. Ms. Ramos will be arraigned on Friday, June 28, 2019, in Rockingham County Superior Court at 1:00 p.m.
  • Samantha Bidwell, age 30, of Ashland New Hampshire was arrested on a charge of possession of a controlled drug (fentanyl) with the intent to sell. Ms. Bidwell will be arraigned on Friday, June 28, 2019, in Grafton County Superior Court at 9:00 a.m.
  • Ramon Rivera Muniz, age 31, of Haverhill, Massachusetts was arrested on two outstanding warrants from Hillsborough County-North for a parole violation and a pending charge of possession of a controlled drug (fentanyl) with intent to distribute.
  • Valeria Vanessa Cartagena Toro, age 24, of Haverhill, Massachusetts was arrested on a charge of conspiracy to sell a controlled drug (fentanyl).
  • Jonathan Betancourt of Lawrence, age 29, Massachusetts was arrested on four counts of sale of a controlled drug (fentanyl).

Mr. Muniz, Ms. Cartagena Toro and Mr. Betancourt are being held in Massachusetts at the Middleton House of Correction pending extradition.

The charges resulting from this investigation will be prosecuted by, Senior Assistant Attorney General Danielle Sakowski and Assistant Attorney General Jesse O'Neill.

The following agencies were involved in this successful investigation: New Hampshire Attorney General's Office, United State Drug Enforcement Administration, Ashland Police Department, Bedford Police Department, Haverhill (Massachusetts) Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Manchester Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, New Hampshire Department of Corrections, New Hampshire State Police, Pelham Police Department, Plymouth Police Department, and United States Homeland Security Investigations.

The charges and allegations are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

New Hampshire Department of Justice
1 Granite Place South | Concord, NH | 03301
Telephone: 603-271-3658