Thirteen people are facing federal conspiracy charges for their alleged participation in a drug ring based in Lowell and Lawrence that used social media to traffic large amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and guns throughout New Hampshire and Maine, officials said.
The investigation began in October 2023 when law enforcement officials were tipped off about a drug ring using apps and text messages to conduct illegal drug sales, according to a statement from New Hampshire US Attorney Jane E. Young’s office.
Led by the US Drug Enforcement Administration, investigators seized a cellphone and examined social media histories belonging to the alleged traffickers and discovered that between April 2023 and April 2024 they sold at least 44 pounds of fentanyl, two pounds of methamphetamine, and 200 grams of cocaine, prosecutors said.
Six alleged members also tried to swap shotguns, rifles, and handguns for drugs, authorities said.
Undercover investigators allegedly made eight fentanyl buys from members of the ring between November 2023 and March. The transactions — ranging in size from 97 grams to 496 grams — took place in Lowell or Lawrence with an investigator posing as someone who intended to resell the drugs in New Hampshire, prosecutors said.
Three people — Robert A. Arrington, 38, of Bangor, Maine; William L. Wheelock, 34, of Windham, Maine; and Pedro Miguel Ravelo Guzman, 31, of Lowell — are being sought by law enforcement.
The other 10 people indicted were.
Jacob D. King, 41, of Milton, N.H. King is in federal custody.
Riley J. Paletta, 26, of Hudson, N.H. Paletta was released on pretrial supervision.
Amanda E. Camera, 39, of Fairfield, Maine. Camera, also known as Amanda E. Douglass, is in state custody on unrelated charges.
Benjamin M. Fields, 41, of Laconia, N.H. Fields is in state custody on unrelated charges.
John N. Titus, 35, of Farmington, N.H. Titus is in federal custody.
Christian F. Gerlach, 52, of Manchester, N.H. Gerlach is in state custody on unrelated charges.
Moses J. Losuk, 28, of Portland, Maine. Losuk is in state custody on unrelated charges.
Timothy E. Boston, 38, of Nashua. He is in federal custody.
Robert W. Whiteside Jr., 46, of Exeter, N.H. Whiteside is in federal custody.
Alexander L. Wilson, 38, of Belfast, Maine. Wilson is in federal custody.
John R. Ellement can be reached at john.ellement@globe.com. Follow him @JREbosglobe.
